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COI\TE>TS.
PREFACE
HISTORICAL A7EW OF ErVGLISH
MIRACLE-PLAYS OR MYSTERIES
P;
op
CHESTER MIRACLE-PLAYS.
THE DELUGE
ANTICHRIST
5
16
COVENTRY MIRACLE-PLAYS.
JOSEPH S JE \T.Ol SY
THE TRIAL OF MARY A>D JOSEPH ..
THE PAGEAJNT OF THE COMPANY OF
SHEARMEIV AISD TAILORS
41
48
o9
TOWXELEY MIRACLE-PLAYS.
PHARAO
PASTORES
CRLCIFIXIO
EXTRACTIO AMMARLM AR I>FER\0
JT DITUM
I
95
109
157
161
176
CAXDLEMAS HAV, OR TIIE inTLlXr.
OF JIIE(.I1ILDRE\01 ISRAtL I'...;. IJ»7
GOD'S PROMISES , ««l
GLOSSARY %W
P R E F A C E
1. lie Editor of llie following pages has been in-
duced to publish the present Collection of English
Miracle-plays or Mysteries , from its appearing to him
to be a desideratum. This ^vill no doubt be appa-
rent, if it be considered, that, allhough much has been
done to illustrate the history of the English theatre,
especially of the sixteenth century, not one of the
various pubhcaJions on this subject, contains a single
play of the Chester, Coventry, or Townely series.
That these dramas arc particularly deserving of at-
tention, can scarcely be denied, as ihey are the oldest
pieces of the kind in existence, and present us moreover
with the only connected view, th«t is to be had, of
the manner in which the whole Bible was theatrically
represented. It is also a httlc singular, that the
publications of Dodsley, Hawhins and others, afford
but little information on this subject ; that of Collier
on the contrary much more, though his remarks
are imfortunately too nuich scattered in his excellent
work. That so little has been (h)ne as yet to give a
correct vie\\ of the ancient historv of the Enghsh
stag-e, is iniicli to be regretted, althoug-h it cannot
SHi'pi'ise ns , if we w eig-li the assertion of Malone ,
that « a minute investigation of the orig-in and progress
of the drama in England , w ill scarcely repay the
labour of incpiiry. » Other writers appear to have
held the same o])inion, and not to have reflected,
that the early Miracle-plays aflord one of the best
illustrations of the manners and customs of our fore-
iathers. Moreover we learn from them the opinions
of our ancestors on various subjects, their manner
of thinking , and are perhaps better enabled to judge
of the state of civilisation in which they Avere , than
from other sources. Such must be the light in which
unprejudiced minds will regard the ancient Eng-lish
theatre, whatever they may think of the later and
present state of the drama. It must, however, be
observed, that the following pages contain, with few
exceptions , only facts and not remarks on these plays,
as this volume is intended to be used as a lecture book.
In conclusion, the Editor must remark , that , although
he is fully aware of the imperfections of his attempt
to give a concise view of the history of Eng-lish
Miracle-plays , yet he believes he has not omitted any
notice of importance recorded by any writer on the
theatre , or that is to be found in any work that was
Ukely to illustrate the subject.
Basel, Jmu- 50lh , lifJ8.
AIN IIISJOIUCAL VIEW
OF
ENGLISH MIRACLE- PLAYS OR MYSTERIES
Relijjion, which has in all countries first exci-
ted dramatic representation , was the subject of the
EujO-hsli 31iracle - plays or Mysteries. These pro-
ductions were either (bunded on the various histories
of the OhI and »w Testament, or on the k'(>ends
of the hves of the saints, which hitter appear, how-
ever, to have aiforded fewer subjects for exhibi-
tion. The English religious (h'amas were, during:
the period of their representation and for a long-
time afterwards , termed Miracle - plays ; most pro-
bably from the first or cliief pieces being a repre-
sentation of the miracles of our Lord , or from their
containing a narration of the wonders of the chris-
tian faith. In latter times they have been usually
called 3Iysteries , under which appellation they are
at present best known. This term, although at a
very early date applied to them in France , was
most probably first given to them in England by
Dodsley , in the preface to the Collection of Old
Plays, which he piihhshed in 1744. They are also
in some MSS. termed Pag-eants , Ijy which name
they were jjeneraHy called, although not in all in-
stances, when performed by members of tradings
companies.
Not a few writers have speculated on the ori-
g^in of English Miracle - plays , but it must unfortu-
nately be confessed that their theories afford no
very satisfactory explanation of the subject. Although
such is the case, it may not be uninteresting- to
quote what Warton says on this point, as he is
generally considered the llrst authority on all sub-
jects connected with English literature. He remarks :
a About the eighth century trade was principally
carried on by means of fairs , which lasted several
days. Charlemagne established many great marts
of this sort in France ; as did William the Con-
queror, and his Norman successors, in England.
The merchants, who frequented these fairs in nu-
merous caravans or companies, employed every art
to draw the people together. They Avere therefore
accompanied by juglers , minstrels, and buffons;
who were no less interested in giving their atten-
dance , and exerting all their skill , on these occa-
sions. As now but few large towns existed , no
public spectacles or popular amusements were estab-
lished; and as the sedentary pleasures of domestic
life and private society were yet unknown , the fair-
time was the season for diversion. In proportion
as these shews were attended and encouraged , they
began to be set off with new decora! ions and im-
provements; and the arls of buffoonery being ren-
dered slill more aflractivo by rxJeiiding iheir circle
oi' evliibitioii, ;R'([iiii(Ml an impoi-taiicH* in llio eyes
of llic people. By (le[>i-ecs the clergy , observing
that the entertainments (»!' daneing, ninsie , niimiery,
evhihiled at these annnal eelei)rities , made the people
less religious, by promoting idleness and a love of
festivity, proscribed these sports, and excommuni-
cated the performers. But finding that no regard
\\as paid to their censures, they changed their plan,
and delermined to take these recrealions into their
own hands. They turned actors; and instead of
profane mummeries, presented, stories tiihen from
legends or the Bible. This was the origin of sacred
comedy*. » That Warton has formed an erroneous
opinion on this subject , seems not improbable , if ue
rellect that religious dramas are of a much earher ori-
gin than is generally considered; for wc have an
account of a religious play , performed perhaps be-
fore the (inal destruction of Jerusalem, but certainly
not later than the second century , portions of \\hich
have come down to our day "^. 3Ioreover mention
is made of religous dramas by writers in the llrst
centuries of the christian lera , and although it is
dilVicult to prove that such wcvc performed in every
age since the time of Christ; ^^hich is not to be
wondered at, if \>e consider the stale of literature
during (he dark ages, and how much has been lost
in siM'h a pcn<Kl of lime, yet enough authorities
are still existing to show thai such jjcrformances
* Ilisloiy of Enjjlisli Poclry. m,\. ii. pp. r,VAi , ."CT. rdil. 'llo.
i" Ezcchiclis Trajjici Judaicnnim iiistoiiaruin poctaj , eiliicJio scu
lilieralio llclira^oriini Tiajjfu-dia sacra, r\o«lo rfspomlcns : ex liliro IX
Eusi-liii dr Pia'|). K\anj;. selccla . i( |>lcris«juc in loiis casli(Va(a.
Paris i;;00 (\\o.
have been from the earliest times *. The orij> in
of reli{}-ious dramas, shonlcl this view of the suhjeet
be consitlerefl correct, mnst be ascribed to the in-
tlnence that the ancient theatre exercised on the
first christians. It may, perhaps, from the fore-
g-oing' observations, not be deemed improbable, that,
as religious plays can be proved to have been writ-
ten in the Hrst centuries , and acted as late as the
year 990 1, they were not improbably performed
during- the following- century, althoug:h we have no
account of it. If this may be assumed, and it ap-
pears to be no far fetched hypothesis , especially
as it will hereafter be shown , that the firs Miracle-
play performed in Eng-land, was written by a French-
man about the year 1100; and as there are, more-
over, very good grounds for believing-, that the
earliest English religious plays are, at least in part,
translations from the French ; it follows , that what
are termed Miracle - plays are nothing- more than a
continuation of the sacred dramas , that were written
since the first centuries. Should this view of the
subject not be deemed correct , the opinion of Percy
may, perhaps, be considered more satisfactory. He
remarlts, that wthey were probably a kind of dumb
shews, interjning-led , it may be, >vith a few short
As it docs not lie ^vithiii the limits of these pages to enter on
tills snhjeet more at large, the following notices of works, wlilcli
contain remarljs on this point, must suffice. Socrates, Ecclcs. Hist,
p. r»0o , edit. 1G03. Lardner, vol. ii. p. 4G5. 4to. Hone, Ancient
Mysteiles Descrihcd , p[>. I4(i—ili6. Cahinet Cycloptedia , Literary
and KScienlilic Mm, vol. i. pp. 17^ — 179.
t Cedrcii . ('.ompend I8is(. p. 050. li. 10-47. Comment, ad
(janon. Kii. Synod. \i in Trullo. A pud Rc^crigium Synodic, torn, i-
pp. 250. '25! fol O\on 1072
speeches ; at leii|>lh llioy greu into a regular series
of connecte<l <lial(»}>iies , ronualK divided into acts
and scenes"." This oliservalion, althon|>h l)y him
only a|)|di('(l to Kn^jhsli Miraeh' - |)la\s, appears to
he at least quite as applieahle to the relijjioiis cx-
hihitions in the first ag:es ot* Christianity.
The first mention ol' theatrical rej)resentations
in England, is recorded hy Malthe>v Paris, uho
Mrote as early as 1240. lie relates in his Vittv
Abbalumy etc.^ that >^hile (ieofirey , afterwards Ah-
bot oi' St. Alhans, was yet a secular person, he
was invited from Normandy hy Richard , the then
Ahhot ol' St. xVlhans, to teach the school estab-
lished there; that, in consequence ol* some delay,
when Geon're> arrived the vacant ofilce had been
filled, and that he, therefore, took up his residence
at Dunstaple, and broujjht out the Miracle -play of
St. Catherine: — Leyit i(jitiir apud Duneslapliam^
expeclans scholam S. Alhaui sibi reproniissmii j ubi
fpiendam Indnm de S. Iia(erinn , ( tpiem Mlratala
vulfjariler appcflamiis) fecit ; ad tpKc decoraiida pctiit
a Sncrista S. ^ilbani\ ul .sihi capic chorales accom-
modareiilur , el obtinuil". We learn from the tes-
timony of Bulauis, in his llistoria VniversHalis
Parisieusis , that (ieofirey was a mend)er of the
Lniversitv of Paris , and that he died in 1 MO, hav-
ing- been raised to the dig-nity of Abbot of St.
Albans in II19§. From the before mentioned quo-
tation, it is quite clear, that CeolfreN brought out
tin- play of St. Catherine htnrj before he assumed
* Rdiqucs ol" Ancitul Knolish Podi v , vol. i. |). I2«. «ail. 179-^.
t Vit. Ahb. ad calc. Ilisloi . Majoi. torn. i. |-. oG , cdil. 1640.
§ Aol. ii p 22i> Pari^ I(j<3J.
iiiL' I'clij'ioiis linhil , and roiisiilriiii}; llial lir <<iiil<l
ii(»t attain till' <li|;iiil\ of AMxtt . nnIiIiIi Ik* olilaiiicd
III I I IM . till adci .1 iiiiiiiIhi of m ai -^ . liir <t|iiiiion
of l*ri«'N . llial il v»as |ii<ilialiK wiilliii \\itliiii llir
<>l(>v(>lilli ccntiirN . !•> lilcK iiul In lie far finm llic
Inilli*. IJiila'iis iiifuiiiis iiN aU.i. llial llii^ |(la\ of
St. r-allicriiir ^^as not tlirii li\ aiiN iiicaiis .i iio\rl\ :
mm inn'i) (initltni inslilnln . scil */«• muMnlmhnr inii-
ilisirorum cl sr/iolmniii.
>Villlaill ril/sl(|»lirii wlio \M..lr aitoiit I WVl his
I ihi Sdiiili T/Kninr .in/iir/HMniii <7 Marfi/ris , to
wiiifli is a|»|M'ii(lril a (lt'scii|»tioii of l^oinloii . >a\s:
- Luiulimiii f>n> sfwrftniilis llnnlnilihns , fno linlis
srciiiri's . Itnli)s /mini \///// //«»/ o , rr/ntisriitntimirs tiii-
rantlonnii umr smtrh r»>///rvs«»/Tv ttptrnh miiiI ^ srii
rvjnirsnklalioms fnts.sioiimn iitiilms i Itirnil nmsltinlia
marh/runi. This imiIn not ice of l.ii;;li>li ^liraclc-
j)la>s was lirst |ml)IIsli(Ml li\ Slow in hi^ Siii\rN of
London, lot)?). Ilr traiislalcs lht> |la^^aJ;(■ as fol-
lo\\s : — «. Ijondoii . foi- ihr s|ir\v> iijion ihcatrrs,
and foniical paslinn's. halh IioIn (>ia\N. rcjnrsrn-
talions of niiraclcs . \\lii(li hi»l\ coiifrssors liaNr
\M"on<>"ht ; or n'lin'scnlations of lonncnlcs . av herein
the constancic ol' niartirs apiiearrd T, •
Il has lieen sii|>|»osed. llial llie |iil';rinis who
ivtnriR'd from the lloK Land, and \\lio eoiii(>osrd
son|;s on tlicir ti^nels. niixinj; Axith them ;i rcrilal
of the life and death of ("dirlsl . eoiiliilmled ||reatl\
Rcliqiics . vol. i. p. lo4.
i" P. Oft. It i-i nm-ssary to ri^m.irk , in orcti-r In iin«lrr>lnn<l < <>r
rcclly tliis qiintalion . Iliat Fil/.Nlr|»lii-ii Ii.id jiriM ioiisln r.-fiTrr«l li> lln
stale of llie tlicalrrs in l\omc . ami seems In lie tlr.it^ini; a romp.irrson
l»el*vccii tlie |>ublic amuseinenls lljire ami in l.omjon
to increase the taste fur these relig'ioiis representa-
tions; but whatever influence they may have ex-
ercised in France *, and in other countries , on
such performances , there is no certainty of there
having- in any wa> promoted these exhibitions in
England ".
That plays Avere frequently performed about
the middle of the thirteenth century , may be infer-
red from a regulation under the date of A. D. 1 228
in the Aimales liurtonenses , uhlch prohibits slroll-
ing- players from performing in presence of the in-
mates of the monastery ; yet which allows their wants
to be relieved , not because they were players , but
l)ecause they m ere poor : — EiislrUmibiis potest dari
cibus y (fit I (I j tail fie res sunt, non (luia In'striones j et
eonim tiidi non vitleantur , vel audiantur , ifel pennit-
tantttr fieri eoram Abhate vel monachis'^.
About the year 1268 3Iiracle- plays were per-
formed in Chester, and continued to be acted there
for many successive centuries ; but as the religious
dramas brought out in that city, form one of the
three series of Miracle - plays now in existence, I hey
will be referred to more at large hereafter.
Towards the end of the thirteenth century , the
religious ceremony of the Corpus Christi Play was
instituted at York , and was celebrated each year
on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. Drake ,
* Some information respecting the influence that French pilgrims
exercised on the Mysteries of their own country , may be gathered
from Bayles Diet. art. Chocquet , %yhich contains some obserrations
by 3Ienestrier on this suliject.
i" The characters, ho^vever, in the ]>Iay of St. George, seem to
aflbrd proof of an eastern origin.
5) Gale , Rerum Anglic. Script. Vet. tom. i. p. 4." 7.
the historian of this city, says, « tliis ceremony must
have Ijcen in its lime one of the most extaordinary
entertainments that couhl l>e exhibited. Every trade
in the city , from Ihe highest to the Iom est , was
obhg-ed to furnish out a pag-eant at its own expense
on this occasion. " Many orders and ordinances ,
existing in the registers of the city, reguh^te the
performance of this rehg-ions ceremony. One of
these recites, that « Whereas for a long course of
time the artificers and tradesmen of the city of York
have, at their own expense, acted plays-, and par-
ticularly a certain sumptuous play , exhibited in seve-
ral pag-eants, wherein the history of the Old and
New Testament in divers places of the said city,
in the feast of Corpus Christi , by a solemn pro-
cession is represented , in reverence to the sacrament
of the Body of Christ ; beginning first at the great
grates of the Priory of the Holy Trinity in York,
and so g"oing: in procession to and into the Cathe-
dral Church of the same ; and afterwards to the
Hospital of St. Leonard, in York, leaving- the afore-
said sacrament in that place; preceded by a vast
number of hghted torches , and a great multitude
of priests in their proper habits, and followed by
the mayor and citizens, Avith a prodigious crowd of
the populace attending-. And whereas, upon this,
a certain very rehgions father , William Melton , of
the order of friars minors , professor of holy page-
antry, antl a most famous preacher of the word of
God, coming to this city, in several sermons recom-
mended the aforesaid play to the people; affirming
that it was g^ood in itself and very commendable
so to do; yet also said, that (he citizens of the
saiti c'il> , and oilier ibrei(»iiei'S coming- lo the said
Ccasl, had jjrcallj disgraced the ])lay h\ revcHings,
drunltcnness, shouts, songs and other insoh'ncies ,
HttJc regarding the divine idlices of the said day -,
and what >\as to l)e huiiented, they loose, lor that
reason , the indulgences Ijy the holy lather pope
I rban IT. in this part graciously conceded ; those,
viz. lailhtul in Christ, >vho attended at morning ser-
vice at the said least in the church \\here it was
celebrated, a hundred days 5 those at the mass, the
same^ those also, who came to the first vespers ol'
the said least, the like a hundred days^ the same
in the second 5 to those also, who were at the Ih'st,
third, sixth, and ninth completory offices, for every
hour of those forty days ; to those also , w ho attended
service on the octaves of the said feast, at mattins or
vespers, mass or the aforesaid hours ; a hundred days
for every day of the said octaves, as in the holy
canons, for this end made, is more fully contained:
and therefore, as it seemed most wholesome to the
said father William, the people of the city were
inclined that the play should be played on one day,
and the procession on another , so that the people
might attend divine service at the churches, on the
said feast , for the indulgences aforesaid. Where-
fore Peter Buchey , mayor of this city of York,
[10 Aldermen, 2 Sherifls, and 21 others whose
names are mentioned] were met in the council
chamber of the said city the 6lh day of June , in
the year of grace 142(>, and of the reign of king
Henry VI. after the concpiest of England, the
fourth, and by the said wholesome exhortations and
admonitions of the said father W illiam being incited,
that it is no crime , nor can it offend Gotl , if good
be converted into better. Therefore , having- dili-
g-ently considered of the premises, they gave their
express and unanimous consent, that the cause afore-
said shouhl be pubhshed to the whole city in the
common hall of the same, and having- their consent
that the premises sliould be better reformed. Upon
which the aforesaid mayor convened the citizens
tog-ether in the said hall the tenth day of the month
aforesaid and the same year, and made proclama-
tion in a solemn manner, where it was ordained,
by the common assent, that this solemn play of
Corpus Christi sliould be played every year on the
vig-il of the said feast , and that the procession
should be made constantly on the day of the said
feast, so that all people being- in the said city
might have leisure to attend devoutly the mattins ,
vespers and the other hours of the said feast, and
be made partakers of the indulgences , in that part
by the said Roman jiope Urban the fourth most
graciously g-ranted and confirmed. »
A solemn proclamation for the play of Cor-
pus Christi , made on the aforesaid vigil , commands
on behalf of the king-, the mayor, and the sheriffs,
that the players «play at the places that is assig--
ned therefore, and no where else on the pain of
the forfeiture that is ordained therefore; that is to
say xls. ; and that men of crafts, and all other men
that find torches, that they come forth in array,
and in the manner as it has been used and custom-
ed before his time. ' The following is an extract
of an order for the regulation of the play of Cor-
pus Christi, dated the 7th of June, 1417; and
sijyncd by William Bomcs, mayor, dt is ordained
for the conveiiience of* llie citizens , and of all
strang-ers coming: to the said feast, that all the pa-
g:eants of the play called Corpus Christi play, should
begin to play lirst a( the gates of the Priory of
the Holy Trinity in 3likel-gate , next at the door
of Robert Harpham, next at the door of the late
John Gyseburii, next at Sfcelder - gate - liend and
North - strete towards Castel-gate, next at the end
of Jubir - gate , next at the door of Henry Wyman
deceased, in Conyng-strele, then at the common
hall at the end of Conyng-strete, then at the
door of Adam del Brygs deceased, in Stayne-gate,
then at the end of Slayne-gate at the 3Iinster-gates,
then at the end of Girdlcr - gate , and lastly upon
the Pavement, etc. And father William Melton,
willing to destroy sin, and a great lover of virtue,
having, by preaching, exhorted the populace that
they would cause to be removed all public concu-
bines in fornication or adultery; \\horefore the
mavor, by consent of the community, ordained that
they should depart the city within eight days, on
pain of imprisonment, unless any of them should
find good security that she would not exercise her
illegal vocation for the future. " The following list
of the trading companies with the parts they played,
will, perhaps, be found not entirely void of interest*.
«The order of the Pageants of the Play of
Corpus ChrislI, in the time of the mayoralty of
W illiam Alne , in the third year of the reign of
King Henry Y. anno 141o, compiled by Roger
Burton, town clerk: —
" I>rai,c. History of Vorl;. p]). «i2r> 24G.
II
\\ III
I'lnimrs. Cnu\ (lir Father Aliuit'lity rr«>Mliii|r aiut
ioriiiiii|; the iir.-ivt'iis . ,iih|«'In and ;irrli,-in-
|;rls; LncilVf ami llir aiiPrK lliil (.11
uitli liiiii into lirll.
/'ltl\lrnis. 4. ...I (lir l;illl.l . ill Ills .>>Mi Mlll!,l.uiCC,
<'|-.-.itill|; III.' .Mllli. .111.1 ill uliifh iis
llirr.Mii, ill tin- spa.T iil' li\c (l.i>s
Cnrrfr -VKikfi-s. <iiiil tin- Father rrraliiijf Ailaiii of lh«'
siiiiii- nl" till' earth, anil inakinj,'^ Fve of
till* rih , anil inN|iirinj; tlirin willi llic
N|Mi-il of lite.
fhllrrs. liiiil |iniliilii(iiij; A.l.nu ami V.w I'nini .-alini;
ol the tree ol life.
Coitpers. Atlani an(IF\e with a tn-e lM■t^^ i\l llieni :
the Nerpeiit <leeei\inj; them \^itli apples;
4ioil speal.iiij; to them ami eur>iiit; the
serpent, an. I an anj;«'l uilli a s\*or«l
ilri\ln;; them out of parailisr.
^trmoiirrrs. A.Iain ami Fm' , an anj;rl ^^illl a >>paile
an. I a .lislalV assi|;ninj; them lahoiir.
(Maiinttrs. Ahel ami r.ain l.illiiij; •.aeriliees.
S/iifm'Vnfhts. (lod foretellimf >ioah In inaKe an ark of
li(;ht ^>. ...<!.
l-ii.shmiiitofrs , X- 1 • .1 I -.1 I • •«• I .1
•' -' Aoali III the ar>. with Ins wife ami lhr«>e
Prsstitwrs , , ■, , , ,. . ,
•; ehililren. ami «li\ers annuals.
Jllan'nrrs.
PerehciHiiun:<t , Alnali.iin s.ierilieinj; hi*, mmi Isaae; a ram.
Biikhi/uHrrs. hush , ami anji^el.
lloxyers. M<»ses e\alliii|; the serpent in ihe wil.ler-
ness; kiii|f Pharaoh: eijfht .I.m>s .idniir-
in|;- and e\peeliinf.
Spicers. Mary and a doeler d«>elarinj; the s.i>inj|s
of the prophets alioni the future hirth
of Fdirisl ; an anj;el salntiiij; her. Mnr>
saluting;- Eli/.ahelh
Peuterevs , Mary , Joseph willinjf lo put her away.
Founders. an aiig-el speakin*;- to tbeiu that they
should jfo to Bethlohcui.
Tylers. Mary, Joseph, a inidwil'c, the child bora
lyinjf in a mangier hetwixt an ox and
an ass , and the ang-ol speaking- to the
shepherds.
ChaundeU'Vs. The shepherds speaking hy turns; the
star in the east; an angel givingf joy
to tlie shepherds that a child was horn.
Goldsmitht-s . The three kings coming from the east,
Orfeures. Herod asking them about the child
Christ; ^nth the son of Herod, two
counsellors and a messenger.
Gold- haters, ^^la^y Avith the child and the star above,
Mone- makers. and the three kia{fs oflFering' gifts.
iMasons. Mary with the child ; Joseph , Anna , and
a nurse with young- pig-eons; Simeon
reccivino: the child in his arms , and
two sons of Simeon.
Marashals. Mary with the child , and Joseph flying
into Egypt, by an angel's telling them.
Girdellers, Herod commanding- the children to be
Naylers, slain, foiu- soldiers with lances, two
Sawters. counsellors of the king , and four wo-
men lamenting the slaughter of them.
Sporiers, The doctors, the child Jesus sitting in
Lorymers. the temple in the midst of them , hear-
ing them and asking them questions.
Four Jews , Mary and Joseph seeking
him and finding him in the temple.
Barbers. Jesus, John the baptist baptizing him,
and two angels helping them.
f^yntncrs. Jesus, Mary , bridegroom and bride, mas-
ter of the household with his family
with siv water -pots, where water is
funie«l into wine.
II*
Smythes,
Fevers.
C^orvisors.^
Elennagevs.
Plummers ,
Patten - makers.
Pouch -makers,
Botillers ,
Cap - makers.
Vestm ent-maker.
Skynners.
Cnttelers ,
Blade - smythes ,
Shethers ,
Scalers,
Biikle- makers.
Homers.
Bakers ,
IVaterleders.
Cordwaners.
Jesus iipou the pinnacle of the temple;
Satan tempting with stones ; two angels
administering;, etc.
Peter, James and John; Jesus ascending
into the mountain and transfiguring him-
self before them. Moses and Elias ap-
pearing, and a voice speaking from a
cloud.
Simon the leper asking Jesus if he would
eat with him. Two disciples; Mary
Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus ,
and >viping them with her hair.
Jesus, tAvo apostles, the woman taken in
adultery, four Jews accusing her.
Lazarus in the sepulchre; Mary Magda-
dalene, Martha, and two Jews admiring.
Jesus upon an ass with its foal; twelve
apostles following Jesus; six rich and
six poor men, with eight boys with
branches of palm trees, constantly saying
blessed, etc., and Zaccheus ascending
into a sycamore tree.
Pilate, Caiaphas, ttvo soldiers, three
Jews, Judas selling Jesus.
The supper of the Lord and paschal
Lamb, twelve apostles ; Jesus, tied about
with a linen towel, washing their feet.
The institution of the sacrament of the
l)ody of Christ in the new law, and
communion of the Apostles.
Pilate , Caiaphas , Annas , forty armed sol-
diers , Malchas, Peter, James, John,
iiiiil Jiid.ts kissiiij; ;iiul iM'lraviiijf
Botvers ,
Hetc/icrs.
Tapisrrs ,
Vouchers.
Littesters.
Cukes,
JVater - lede
Sducc - iniikei
Milnrrs .
Tirl - makers
liofH-rs ,
Cevers ,
Turners ,
Hayresters ,
BoUers.
Shermen.
Pif liners ,
Lateners ,
Paijnters.
Bouchers,
Pulterers.
Jesus, Anii.'is , Caiaphas , and lour .lews
sirikiiij;- ami liaslinailoiiij;' Cllirisl. l*»'l«'r,
• lie A\ouian amisinjf liiin. ami Malclias.
Jt'siis, Pilate. Annas, (^aiaj)lias; tuo
e(Minselloi's and four Je^vs aeeusinj^ Chi-isl.
Herod, two counsellors, four soldiers,
Jesus, and three Jews.
Pilate, Annas, Caiaphas, two Jews, and
Judas earryiujj" from them thirty pieces
of silver.
Judas liaujjiug- himself.
Jesus, Pilate, (Caiaphas, Annas, six sol-
diers earryinjj- spears and ensijpis , and
other four leadiiij>- Jesus from Herod
desirinji lJaral)l)as to he released and
Jesus to ])e crucified , and then himlinj;-
and scourging- him , putting a crown
of thorns upon his head ; three soldiers
casting lots for the vestui-e of Jesus.
J«'siis covered with lilood hearing- his cross
towards mount (>ahary, Simon Sere-
ueus , etc.
The cross, Jesus extended open il on
the earth ; four Jews scourj^ing liim
with whips , and afterwards erecting the
cross, with Jesus upon it, on 3Iount
(ialvary.
The cross, two thieves crucified ami Je-
sus suspended l)etwixt them ; Mary the
mother <if Jesus . John, Alarv , James
and Salome; a soldier with a lance,
and a servant with a sponge. Pilate ,
Annas . Caiaphas . a centurion , Joseph
of Arimathea . and IVichodemus l.-diin;;
lijm down and layiu'; him in the sepuh-hre.
SateUers ,
Sellers ,
Glasiers.
Cmyentevs ,
Joyners.
Cartwriglits .
Carvers ,
Sawyers.
fVyedraxvers.
Broggers ,
TVool -pakher.
Wadsmen.
Escriviners ,
Ltnnners ,
Questors ,
Duhhors.
TaUlyoures.
Potters.
Drapers.
Lynwevers.
IVevcrs of wall en.
Jesus dcstroyiaji Iiel
twelve evil spirits.
twelve good and
The Centiiriou declaring: to Pilate, Caia-
phas and Annas, with other Jews, the
signs appearing- on the death of Jesus.
Jesus rising- from the sepulchre, four
soldiers armed, and three Marias lament-
ing ; Pilate, Gaiaphas , and Annas; a
young man clothed in white sitting iu
the sepulchre and talking to the women.
Jesus , Mary , 31ary Magdalene with spices.
Jesus, Luke and Cleophas in the form
of travellers.
Jesus , Peter , John , James , Philip and
other Apostles; Thomas feeling the
wounds of Jesus.
Mary, John the Evangelist, two angels,
and eleven Apostles ; Jesus ascending
before them , and four angels bearing a
cloud.
Mary, two angels, eleven Apostles, the
Holy Ghost descending- upon them, and
four Jews sulmiring.
Jesus , Mary , Gabriel with two angels,
two virgins and three Jews of the kin-
dred of Mary, eight Apostles , and two
devils.
Four Apostles bearing the shrine of Mary,
Fergus hanging upon it with two other
Jews , and one angel.
Mary ascending- with a multitude of an-
gels ; eight Apostles, with Thomas preach-
ing in the desert.
HostUers. Mary, ami Jesus «ruwiiiin; lu'i with ;•
};Tt'al iiuiulnT of ainfi'ls.
Mercers. Jesus, Mary, twilve Apostles ; (bur an-
l>els \villi liuniju'Ls , aud four >villi a
lance ^\\\\\ l\vo scoiiriyes; four jjootl aud
four Itad spirits, and six devils.
Robert 31aniiyn|; , or as he is more eoniinonly
called lloberl <le Hriiiine, a Gilbortiiie canon in
the monastery of Brunne, near Depynp, , in Lin-
colnsliire, translated in the year 1505 an Anylo-
Freneli poem, entith'd the J/rmMc/ dc Peche'^ , ^^rit-
ten ahoiil the mid(Ue of llie thirteenth century, and
\Nhich contains a notice of Miracle - phiys.
Ilyt ys forhode liyui yu the decre
Myracles for to make or se ;
For myracles , zy f you by{>ynne ,
Hyt ys a jjaderyut, a syjjlit of syniie
He may yn the elierche, thur{;h tlij
Pley tlie resurreccyun ;
That is to seye, how god rose,
God and man yn myjjht and los ,
To make men be yn beleve gode.
That he ros with flesshe and l>lode;
And he may pleye wy thoutyn i)ly{;ht
Howe god was l>ore yn thole nyjfhl.
To malic men to beleve stedfastly
That he iyght yn the vyrgyne Mary.
Zyf thou do hyt in weyys or grenys,
A sygbt of synne ti'uly hyt seuiys.
Robert Raston , a Carmehte friar of Sear-
borough, ^^ho lived in the reign of Edward II.,
f Robert GrostLcad, Bishop of Lincoln, uho «li<'(l in liiiJ.", is
supposed to l)e the author of this work. >Varton, llisl. of ling-
Poet, vol. i. pp. 6\). 70. Sa
s resuu
and ac'('oin|Kiiii('(l that kiiij; in lii> cxitrdilinii to lir-
sicjjo Slirlinj; (lastlc, in Scotland- is nicnlioncd l»\
Bah* as a \M'i(rr kA' Irmin'diir rl i\tiinrili(i' rultiiirvs .
None oC JIu'Sc [lirccs air now cxlanl . Inil no i«'a-
sonaltlc doul)t can lie rntrrlaiiM<l tli;it IIon \vri-i> W\-
i;u'l<' - plays , l\n' IJaIr rails his o\^n |irodn<'lions ol'
a similar hind- ' lra,<;«'di(vs and conicdics ; ' and it is
nol al all ini|)i*ol)aldi' , llial sonic ol' these i'cli||'ions
(h'aiuas nii|;lil lie in exislcncc al ihc linic w lien Kale
>vrote , >\liicli \\;in lo\>;irds llie middle (tl" llie si\-
Icenlh ccnliMN.
Uoberl L<Mi|>-lan(h>, a secular |nicsl . and a
fellow of Oriel (a»IIe|;c, <Klord, \\\\k\ \moIc ;ilioiit
the middle td' the i'onrleenlh ccntnrN . in liis l*iirs
Plouiflnnnns Crnlf , |miIs Iwo lines into (he moiitli
of a I'liar. wliieli refer lo the |)errorm:inee ol" Mi-
racle -[days in marl;el Io\mis:
^^'r li.Hiulfn no f.-iiu-rni's. iir linlirlrii .ilHtiilcn ,
Al in.uliclcs :inil luiiMclrs \vc iiicchlv vs ihmmt ; .
Chaucer has many allusions lo these rclijjioiis
dramas, and he represents his Wile oritalh amus-
in«» lierseir witli these (asliional))*' diNcrsiims^ uhile
her hushand is absent in London , durin|^ the indy
season of Lent : —
Therefore made I my visitations
To vij'ilies and to processions ,
To |)reehin{;s eke, an«l lo tbisc pi]{frima(jes.
To playes of myraeles and to mariajjcs.
And nerid upon my yay skai'let {jites ^.
* Sciij.tor. IliiiNt. M. Biil. |.. ."C.f). Basil WMM .
■f" Sigiiaf. A. iii. I>. vAW. lotil-
§ Th.' >'^ if of Balhes Prologue, v. 0.157. Tyi>>Iiins relit
XXV
In 15oo, the guild of Corpus Christi at Cam-
bridge , on that festival , represented Ludus fiUorum
Israelis*.
It cannot but be considered a httle singular,
that viG have no account of Miracle - plays being-
performed in London from the time of Hem*y II.,
till nearly two hundred years afterwards. That
there were such exhibitions during this period in
the metropolis, can scarcely be doubted, if we con-
sider that other places of much less importance
were honored with them. In 1578, the scholars
or choristers of St. Paul's Cathethal in London,
presented a petition to Richard II., praying him
«to prohibit some unexpert people from presenting
the History of the Old Testament, to the great
prejudice of the said clergy, who have been at
great expense to represent it pubhcly at Christ-
mas "f".** This restraint, if it were imposed, appears
not to have applied to the parish clerks of London,
who had been incorporated into a guild by Henry HI.
about the year 1240, under the patronage of St.
Nicholas. Stow acqujiints us, that in 1591 they per-
formed a play at Skinner's AVell, near Smithfield,
in the presence of the king , queen , and the nobles
of the realm, which lasted for three days. The
same authority informs us, that «lhis yeere (1409)
was a great play at the Skinners Well , neere unto
Clearkenwell , besides London, which lasted eight
daies, and was of matter from the creation of the
world §. »
Master, History of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, vol. i. p. o.
t \^'arton. Hist, of Eng. Poet. vol. ii. p. 591.
§ Ston , Chronicle, p. d49 , edit. IGlo. The ancient perl'onii-
In 1416, the Emperor Sigismiind was in Eng--
land, having- come for the purpose of endeavouring-
to make peace between this king-dom and France.
He was magnificently received and entertained at
Windsor; and a chronicle in the Cottonian Col-
lection gives a description of a performance before
him and Hem*y Y., on the incidents of the life of
St. Georg:e of Cappadocia. The representation
seems to have been divided into three parts, and
to have been accomplished by certain artificial con-
trivances, exhibiting, first, «the armyng of Seint
Georg-e, and an Ang:cl doyng: on his spores ;» se-
condly, « Seint George ridyng and fig:htyng- with
the dragon , with his spere in his hand ; »' and
thirdly, <(acastel, and Seint George and the Kyng-es
daug-hter ledyng- the lambe in at the castel grates*. »
The Eng^hsh fathers at the Council of Constance
caused, on the 24th January, 1417, a sacred
drama to be represented before the government of
that city, the subjects of which were, the Nativity
of our Saviour; the arrival of the Mag-i; and the
massacre by Herod. This play appears to have
g:iven such satisfaction, that it was acted ag-ain on
the 51st of the same month before the members
of the Council t.
anccs of the parish clerks are memorialized in raised letters of iron ,
upon a pump on the east side of Rag Street, now called Ray Street,
beyond the Sessions - house , Clerhenwell ; from which exhibitions , as
well as from the ^vell , the parish tahes its name.
* Cotton M S., Calig. 11. II. Apud Collier, Annals of the Stage,
vol. i. p. 20.
f Dacher , an eye-witness , fpioted by Herman , gives the follo>-» ing
account.: - Am Q'iten tag des Monats Januarii , das war auff Ti-
mothcus tag , da ludcn die Bischoft' aus Engeland , der Bischoft" Salis-
John LydjjaU', a inonJ; ol" the Benedictine
al)l)ev of Bury in SiiU'oIK , \\ho Ii\etl in llie (irst
ball' of the liltecnlh cenlurj , and ^^as a most volu-
minous nriter, being- tbe author of upwards of two
hundred and lilYj poclical jiieees , is said to have
written 3Iirach'- plays*.
Corpus Ciiristi day, at I\e\vcaslh' upon Tyne,
was celebrated >\ilb the exbil)ition of rebgious dra-
mas. The earbest mention of such performances there,
is in the ordinary of tbe coopers , dated January
20tb, 142(>. TJiey are mentioned also in those of
tbe smiths and glovers, 1456; barbers, 1442;
slaters, 14ol; sadlers, 14o9; and of tbe fullers
and dyers, 1477. By tbe ordinary of tbe gold-
smiths , pbnnbers , glaziers , pewlerers and painters,
dated lootJ, they were commanded to play at their
feast « the three Kynges of Coleyn." In loo2,
mention occurs of tbe merchant - adventurers as
being concerned in the exliibition of five plays , one
hurijensis, der Bischol' von Loudon, und deninach fimfl* BischofT von
England, alle Raht zu Coslnitz und sonst viel clirljar Biirger dasdlist , in
Biircliart >^ alters Ilaus , das man vorzcik'n ncnnt zu deni Biir^jllicir , itzt
zu ili-ni (fuldcn Scli^crl, allerniichst Jici S. Laurciiz. Lnd yah iliuen
fast cin hustlicb inahl, ic o. GcricLt nacli einander, jedes Gericlil
bcsondcT mit 8. Essoii : Die tru{; man allwcg cins nial dar , dc-rcn
alweg >varen 4. ver(pild odrr versill»(«rt. In dem mahl , zwisclii-n dcni
Essen , so machten sii- soldi hild und {jchcrd als unsf r Frau ilir Kind
HHSi-rn Ilcrn und audi Gott iji-liahr, mit fast liostiidien TucLcrn und
Gf'^vand. Lnd Josc[di slrlUiii sit; zu ihr. Und dii- lnilij;<'n o. Kr»ni|jt',
als dii' unsiT Fraiiru die OpIlcT braditcn. lnd batti-n ijcmacht cini-n
lautcrn jjiildncn Strrn , dri- |;inj; vor ilnu-n, an lincn IJfiniMi dscrn Drat.
Lnd mai'Ltfu Koiiiji Ilcrodcni, w'lc <-r den dn-y Koni)^cn nadisandl, und
>vic cr die Hindicin crtodtet. Da- maditon sic allcs mit {jar liostli-
chcu Govand . und rail grossfu (pildeni-n und sillicrncn Gurtdn , und
machten das mit (jrostcr Gczit-rd , und mit {;rossfr I)<iniili(. <',or|>. Ait.
.•I Decn-t. N. Constant. Cone. toni. lA . p. 1000.
* Bilson . BiM Port. |. 70.
XXVIII
of which is assig^ned to the ostiiieii , and charg-ed to
the account of the corporation. The drapers, mer-
cers and boothmen had probably each one, and the
last might belong: to the spicers, who appear an-
ciently to have been a branch of the merchant-adven-
turers. A law was made l)y the merchants of this
city, March 25rd, 20 Edw. IV. for setthng the
order of their procession on Corpus Christi day.
By the ordinary of the millers, dated lo78, we
may infer that the Corpus Christi plays were at
that time on the decline, and never acted but
by special command of the magistrates of Newcastle.
((Whensoever,' says that authority, «the generall
plaies of the towne shall be commanded by the
mayor, etc." they are to act «tlie antient playe of
their fellowship , the Deliverance of the Children
of Isrell out of the Thraldome , Bondage , and Ser-
vitude of King Pharo." Thus also in that of the
house-carpenters, dated July 5rd, lo79, it is or-
dered, that ((whensoever the general plaies of the
towne shall be plaied , >' they shall perform « the
Buriall of Christ , >' pertaining' anciently to the said
fellowship. To the same eifect it was ordered by
that of the masons, I08I ^ whose play was ((the
Buriall of our Lady, Saint Mary the Yirgin:" and
lastly, by the joiners' ordinary, in lo89. Of the
ancient sacred dramas performed by the trading
companies of Newcastle , only one has come doAvn
to our times, entitled, ((Noah's Ark, or the ship-
wrights ancient play or dirge , » which may be seen
in liramVs History of Newcastle *, from which the
foregoing account is taken.
* Yo) .1. pp o69 - 579.
The Guild of the Holy Trinity of St. Bololph
without Ahlgate , appears , from the expenses record-
ed in their registers , to have been eng-aged be-
tween the years 1443 and 1448, in the performance
of Miracle -plays ; and to have possessed at this time
«a rolle of velom," containing what is called «the
Pagent of the Holy Trinity*."
In the year 1487, while Henry \TI. resided
at his castle of ^Vinchester, on occasion of the
birth of princic Arthur, on a Sunday, during the
time of dinner, he was entertained with a rehgious
drama called Christi descensus ad inferos t.
It is stated In Dives and Pauper, a booh print-
ed in 149G, that «to represente in playnge at
Crystmasse , herodes , and the thre hynges , and
other processes of the gospelle , both than , and at
Ester, and other tymes also, it is lefuU and com-
mendable^. »
The accounts of the chiu*chwardens of Bassing:-
borne, in CanJjridgeshire , for 1311, contain an
account of the expenses and receipts for performing-
the Miracle - play of St. George. Among other cir-
cumstances that are mentioned, it is stated that
twenty -seven neighbouring parishes contributed mo-
ney towards furnishing the play , which was acted
on a stage in an open Held in the before mentioned
pai'ish 1 1 .
* none, Anc. 3Iyst. Dcsc. pji. 8i, 8i5.
i" Registr. Priorat. S. S^^ithiIl. >'^'iii(on. Apud AVarton , Hist.
Eng. Poet. vol. ii. p. 206.
§ Sandys , Christinas Carols , Introduction . p. xxii.
II IVartou, Hist. Eng. Port. vol. iii. p. o2(V
It appears from the Earl of NorlhumberlamV s
Household Book, 1512, that the chikh-eii of his
chapel performed Mu*acle - plays during: the twelve
days of Christmas , and at Easter , under the du'ec-
tion of his Master of the Revels *.
A MS. w ritten in the seventh year of the reign
of Henry VIII., enumerates certain articles which
were most proljably used in the representation of
some Miracle-play before this monarch. Among:
others are mentioned, «x\ long: garment of cloth
of golde and tynsell, for the Prophete upon Pahiie
Sonday.» «Item a littill gowne for a woman, the
virgin, of cloth of silver." «Item a littill coote for
a childe of cloth of silver t.
In the Chapter - house , Westminster, is pre-
served a MS. containing: an account of payments
of money in the year li527 , for the entertainment
of Henry YHI. Among other sums , is to be found
one for « dyvers necessaries bought for the trymmyng:
of the Father of Heaven §.»
Ralph RadclifTe, educated at Oxford, opened
in the year 1558 a school at Hitchin^ in Hert-
fordshire ^ and , obtaining^ a grant of the dissolved
friery of the Carmelites in that town, converted
the refectory into a theatre. He was the author
of several Miracle - plays , the names of which only
have come down to our times 1 1 .
At Christmas 1546, the 3Iiracle - play oi Jeph-
tha , taken from the eleventh chapter of the bools
Percy, ReliquL's. vol. i. p. loo.
t Collier, Annals of iLc Slage, vol. i. p. «0 , ftl,
§ Ibid. p. 01).
II Kale, Scriptor. Illust. M. lirit. p. 700.
XXXI
ol' .liulgos, and >\riUon Itolli in Lallii and Greek,
was acted in ihe I ni\ersily of Cambridge, ll >vas
composed h\ John Cluisloplieison , one of the first
FelloAvs of Trinity, afleruards blaster. Dean of
INorwich, and ]>isho|) of Chichester *.
John 15ak', Bishop of Ossory , in Ireland, and
a most volumhions >\riter, >vas the author of at
least eleven sacred dramas t, of >vhich only four are
no\v extant: — /. TIic three Laws of JXalurc, Mo-
ses^ ami Christ. 2. GoiVs Promises^, J. John
the Baptist's preaehini/ in the ITllderness. 4. Jlte
Temptation of Christ, liale's plays are desersing^ of
attention as containing the fii'st attempt, by means
of the stage , to promote the Reformation. The
folloANinjy is a short extract from the epilogue of
The Temptation of Christ, in Avhich he attacks the
Roman Catholics, ^vho would keep the people in
ignorance and from the use of the Scriptm*es , and
wliich passage >vill afford a suHicient specimen of
the manner in wliich he treats his antagonists.
AVhat enoniyes are they , that from the people >vyll have
The scriptures of God , >vhych are the mjj'hty weapon
That Christ left them here their so^vles from hell to save.
Ami throw them hcatlloiides into the devyls domynon.
If they l)e no d<nyls, I saye they are de\-yls non.
They brynfye in fastynjje , hut tiiey leave out Scripttini est.
Chalke they {jeve for {jold , soeh fryndes are they of the freest
Eduard YI. is slated by Bale to ha\e \\Titten
a lliraele-play calle<I JJe meretriee BahijlonieaW.
* RpfrospccHvp Rpvicw , vol. xii. p. 1).
t Bal.'. Scriplor. Illust. M. Brit. pp. 702 -70o.
§ Rcpruitc<l in this Colloctioii , p. 221.
II Bale, Scriptor. IJlust. .11. Brit. pp. 07.', r.7>4.
Such attacks as the before mentioned induced
Mary to issue a proclamation on the 16th August,
15i>5, the ol)ject of which was, among- other things,
to prevent the performance of plays calculated to
advance the principles and doctrines of the Refor-
mation. On the 50th of April, ll>36 , the Privy
Council addressed a letter to the Earl of Shrews-
bury, President of the North, complaining that
((Certain lewd persons, to the number of six or
seven in a company , naming themselves to be ser-
vants unto Sir Francis Leeh , and wearing his hvery
and badge on their sleeves, had wandered about
those north parts , and represented certain plays
and interludes, containing very naughty and sedi-
tious matter touching the King's and Queen's Ma-
jesties, and the state of the realm, and to the slan-
der of Christ's true and catholic religion*."
In the year Ii5i56 , the Passion of Christ was
represented at Grey Friers in London, on Corpus
Christi day , before the lord mayor , the privy coun-
cil , and many great persons of the realm t. Strype
mentions, under the year li>i57, a play with a si-
milar name , that was acted at the same place , on
the day that war was proclaimed against France,
anfl in honour of that occasion §. On St. Olave's
day in the same year, the holiday of the church
in Silver Street which is dedicated to that saint,
was l;ept with much solemnity. «At eight o'cloch
at night, began a play of goodly matter, being the
"^ Lodge, Illustralioiis of Brifish History, vol. i. p. 212.
f SJryjK" , Life of Sir Thomas Pope , jtrcf. |». vii.
§ Knlcsiasfical Memorials, vol. iii. o. \li\.
iiiiraciiloiis iiislory of (lie lil'r ol' liial saiiil , wiilcli
lasted lour lumrs *.
Oiiccii Kli/al)(>llu «liirln<| licr projjress in ihe
siiininci- (»r If»(>4, >isil(Ml llic I nivcrslly ol' (]ain-
l)ii(I}j»', and A>as ciilcitained at Kiiijj s Collojje A\illi
a play called Ezci'Iu'fis".
Al Tcwheshiiry , in (he years li>78 and lifJ^iJ,
Miracle-plays A\ere [)errornie(l , ^^hIell lael is record-
ed in the accounts ol* the cluirclnvardeus^^.
Carcu , >vlio m role in Queen Klizahelli's lime ,
observes, that «the Giiary 3Iiracle, in English a
Miracle -play, is a l;ind of interlude conij»iled in
Cornish, out of some Scrij)lure-lIistory. For repre-
senting- it they raise an am|)liithcalre in some open
field, having- the diameter of his inclosed plain,
some 40 or oO foot. The country people flock
from all sides nianv miles off, to see and hear it;
for lliev have ther<'in devils and devices to delight
the eye as the e.ir||.»
Weever relates , that he had « seen Corpns
Christi plays acted at Preston, Lancaster, and at
Kendall, in the bejjinning of the reign of James I,,
the suhjecls of »hicli were the sacred Scripliu'cs
from the creation of the world**."
It is gcneralK considered that the last 3Iiracle-
piav represented in Ktigland, was that of Oi/7.v< *
Passion, ill tlic reign of »lamcs I., which l*i\iine
Str\|if, Ecclesiaslii':il lliinori.ils . \<»1. iii. |>. ."»"!>.
t Nichols , Pro,;rcss.-s of Our.i, Kli/al.Hli . m,\. i. \>. UUi. ..lit.
inir,.
§ Colli.T. Annals of Hi.- SI:.;;.-, vol. ii. |.. IW.
II Surx.-y ..r (:oinN>.ill. p. "I. .dil. lOO'i.
Funeral >Innnni.Mils. p. Wit.
informs us was « performed at Elie House in Hol-
born , when Gundomar lay there , on Good - friday
at ni(rlit, at wliieh there were thousands present*."
Althoujjh this historical view of Miracle -plays
terminates properly at this period, yet we find tra-
ces of their existence even in the present century.
The author of the Lives of Literary and Scien-
tific Men states, that in 1809 he « witnessed, on
the borders of Lancashire and Yorlishire, on Good
Friday, Saracens and Christians, Saladin, Richard,
and other notable persons , represented by some
young' men 5 whose uncouth , fantastic garbs were
not the least remarkable feature of the scene. The
dialogue was in verse , and though somewhat mo-
dernised, bore marks of considerable antiquity t.
Collier mentions, that a kind of Miracle -play
is still exhibited in Gloucestershire at Christmas ,
with the characters of Herod , Belzebulj, and others§.
Sandys remarks , that « the Christmas - play of
St. George and the Dragon is still jjreserved in
the western and northern ^avis of the kingdom! I."
It may not, perhaps, be uninteresting to give here
this play as performed at the present time in the
county of Cornwall ; particidarly as the old Miracle-
play of St. George , from wliich this is undoubtedly
derived, has not come down to our days.
Histriomastix, p. 117. edit. 1633.
t Vol. i. p. 183.
§ Annals of the Stage, vol. i. p. 17. edit. 1851.
II Christmas Carols, p. 17. edit. 1855.
CHAILiCTEHS.
S.U\T GEORGE. KI>G OF EGYPT.
THE DILiGO^. TLKKISII RIMGUT.
FATHER CHRISTMAS. THE GIAINT TLRPEN.
THE DOCTOR.
[livli
Enter the Turkish Ktmjht,
Open your doors, and let me in,
I hope your favors I shall win ;
"Whether I rise or whether I fall ,
I'll do my hest to please you all.
St. Georjye is here , and swears he will come in .
And , if he does , I linow he'll pierce my shin.
If yon will not helieve what I do say ,
Let Father Christmas come in — clear the way.
Enter Father Christmas.
Here come I, old Father Christmas,
^Velcome, or welcome not,
I hope old Father Christmas
\Vill never be forgot.
I am not come here to laugh or to jeer ,
But for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of heer.
If you will not helieve what I do say ,
Come in the IJing of Egypt — clear the w%'»y.
Enter the Kinrj of Eijijjd.
Here I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear,
St. George, St. George, walk in, my only son and hei
^Valk in, my son St. George, and boldly act thy part
That all the people here may see thy wond'rous art.
Enter Saint Geor//e.
Here come I, St. George, from Britain did I spring,
111 fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin.
I'll clip his wings , he shall not fly ;
111 cut him down . or else I dir>.
Ill *
Enter the Dragon.
Who's he that seeks the Drag:on's hlood.
And calls so angry, and so loud?
That English dog, will he hefore me stand?
I'll eut him down with my courageous hand.
With oiy long teeth, and scurvy jaw.
Of such I'd hreak up half a score ,
And stay my stomach, till I'd more.
\St. George and tlie Dragon fight, the latter is killed.^
Father Christmas.
Is there a doctor to he found
All ready, near at hand.
To cure a deep and deadly wound ,
And make the champion stand.
Enter Doctor.
Oh ! yes , there is a doctor to be found
All ready , near at hand ,
To cure a deep and deadly wound.
And make the champion stand.
Father Christmas.
What can you cure?
Doctor.
All sorts of diseases ,
W^hatever you pleases,
The phthisic , the palsy , and the gout ;
If the devil's iuj I'll blow him out.
Father Christmas.
What is your fee? , >-
Doctor.
Fifteen pound, it is my fee.
The money to lay down.
But, as 'tis such a rogue as thee ,
I cure for ten pound.
I carry a little bottle of alicumpane ;
Here Jack, lake a little of my flip flop.
Pour It down thy tip top ;
Rise up and fijjbt ayalu.
[The Doctor performs his cure, the fight is rcneiued ,
and the Dragon again killed.^
Saint George.
Here am I , St. George ,
That worthy champion bold.
And with my sword and spear
I won three crowns of gold.
I fought the fiery drajjon.
And brought him to the slaujjhter;
By that I won fair Sabra,
The King of Egypt's daujfhter.
Where Is the man, that now will me defy?
I'll cut his giblets full of holes, and make his buttons fly.
TJie Turkish Ixnigfit advances.
Here come I , the Turkish Knight ,
Come from the Turkish land to fight.
I'll fig:ht St. George, who is my foe,
I'll make him yield before I go ;
He brags to such a high degree ,
He thinks there's none can do the like of he.
Saint Georfjo.
Where is the Turk , that will before me stand ?
Til cut him down with my couraj^-eous hand.
[Tlici/ fight, the linight is overcome, and falls on one hnee.\
Tn rkish I\n ifjht.
Oh ! pardon me , St. George , pardon of thee I crave ,
Oh! pardon me this night, and 1 will be thy slave.
Saint George.
No pardon shalt thou have, while I have foot to stand,
So rise thee up ag'aln , and fight out sword in hand.
[Theg fight again, and ihn linight is killed. Father Christ-
mas calls for the Doctor , luith whom the same dialognc
occurs as heforc . and the cure is performed.]
Enter the Giant Tuvpin.
Here come I, the Giant, bold Turpiii is my name.
And all the nations round do tremble at my fame.
Wheree'r I go, they tremble at my sijjht,
IVo lord or champion long: with me Avoiild fight.
Saint Georr/c.
Here's one that dares to look thee in the face,
And soon will scud thee to another place.
[77tei/ fif/tit , and the Giant is hilled:, medical aid is called
in as before, and the cure performed hi/ the Doctor, to
whom then is ffivcn a basin of ijirdji tfrout and a hick,
and driven out.]
Father Christmas.
IVow , ladies and gentlemen . your sport is most ended ,
So prepare for the hat, which is highly commended.
The bat it would speak, if it had ])ut a tongue;
Come throw in your money , and think it no wrong".
There are , besi Jes several single Miracle-plays,
three distinct series , — the Chester , the Coventry,
and the Towneley or Widkirk.
It is supposed , on pretty good grounds , that
the Chester scries is the most ancient, though if
internal evidence were to decide the question, it
would he in i'avour of the Towneley. All have
undoubtedly been frecpiently transcribed , so that
no correct opinion can be formed concerning the
age in which they were compiled from the style
in which they arc written. «The Banes," a pro-
logue to the Chester Plays, mIucIi was always read
previous to the representation, supplies us with
some data enabling us to assign a period approxi-
mating at least to (he true one.
Reverende lordcs and l.-ulyes all ,
Thai at this tiiiu» here asseinhletl hce ,
Ily this uiesseufje iiiid<>rstand you shall.
That some times there was mayor of this eitie ,
Sir John Arinvay, knyjjhte, who most ^vorlhi!ie
Contented himself to sett out in playe.
The dexise of one Doni llaridail . nmnke <d' IMiester ahhey.
This pniloyiie, inodcriiised as it evidently is,
a|»|»ears to have l)eeii ^M'itteii at a ju'iiod suhsc-
•jueiil lo the dramas themselves. From the testi-
mony of ancient, ahnost of contemporary documents,
if is certain that John Arnway uas the chief ma-
jjistrale ol* Chester hehveen 12(>8 and I'J/t)*. An
altempi , ho^^e^er, lias been made to invalidale ihe
aiiticpiiU of (his period hy two assertions 5 first, that
the Dom Ilandall here mentioned an as no other
than the celehraled Ilnmiir, or Handal Ilijjden, com-
piler fd" the Po/f/r/tronicon ; and secondly , that the
p«'riod in which he lived will not agree with the
lime when .lolin Arnway was mayor. Randal Ili{)-
t\i'n^ accordinjj to Bale, died in jr)(>5t, and even
snpposinji he had allained an unusual jjreat ajje,
could nul have wrillen ihese pla\s helwcen l*i()JJ
and [*2Hi. It deserves to he remarhed, that the
name of Randal is «»ne cd* frequent recurrence in
the (dd arclii>es, w he! her puhlic or private, of
(]liesl»'i-. It is nol , perhaps, to he disputed, thai
nijjden was in some way, and al some period, con-
ceined in (he performance of ihe Chesler Miracle-
plays; (hou|>li in wlia( wa> is nol so clear, lie
may liaM' made scNcial addillons, (limijih il is,
• r.:.lMii.t (:j,lo|>ii-(li:i. I.il.•|■..I•^ .,.,,1 S.i.uliCi. >l.i. . M,\. i. |.. lUT,
t S,ri|.J. Illiist M. Hrir p. /JtJ'i.
perhaps, more proljable that he only translated
them. A note to one of the MSS. of these pro-
dnctions, informs ns*, that Higden «Avas thrice at
Rome before he could obtain leave of the Pope io
have them in the English tongue 5" and a remark
appended to another one states , that these plays
were ^vritten by him in I528t. The only >vay,
however, of e.vplaining in any satisfactory manner
the mention of John Arnway and Randall in «the
Ranes," is to consider the latter as the translator,
and that they were previously performed in the
mayoralty of the former. The Chester -plays be-
gan on AVhit - monday , and continued until Wed-
nesday. They consist of twenly-fonr dramas §, and
were annnally performed , with some interruptions ,
nnlil 1577.
" Uail. No. *Ii2^l. Aj>ud Collk-r, vol. ii. p. 129.
t Ilail. INo. 20i5. Apiul \^artoii, vol. ii. p. 179.
§ /. The Fall of Lucfer, by the Tanners. //. The Creation,
Ly the Drapers. ///. The Dehif/e, liy the Dyers. IF. Abrnlinm ,
Melchiscdcch , and Lot, liy flie IJarhcrs and AVax -eliandlers. F. Mo-
ses , Bala!;, and Unlaaiii, ]»y (hi- ISadcrs and Linen-drapers. l^I. Tlie
Snliitalion and Natii'itif , Ly the ^\ ijijlifs. /'//. J'/ic Shepherds feed-
inff their /lochs by iiit/hl , J>y the Painters and Glaziers. Fill. The
three liiiiffs , by the \ inlners. /,Y. The Oblation of the three liinys,
by the Mercers. A'. The IHtlinff of the Innocents, by the Goldsmiths.
XI. The Purification , by the Blaelisniilhs. XII. The Temptation,
by the Butchers. XIII. The Blindmcn and Lazarus, by the Glovers.
XIF. Jesus and the Lepers, by the Corvisors. XF. The last Supper,
by the Dal.ers. XFI. The Passion and Crucifi.xion of Christ, by
the Flelehers, Coopers, and Ironmongers. XFII. The Descent into
Hell, by the Coohs. XFIII. The Itesurrection , by the Sliinners.
XIX. The Appcnrinff of Christ to the two Disciples, by the Saddlers.
A'A. The Ascension, by tlic Tailors. AA7. The Election of St. Ma-
thias , sendinr/ of the lioli/ Ghost, by the Fishmonjjers. XXII. Eze-
hiel, by the Clothiers. XXIII. Antichrist, by the Dyers. XXIF. The
>C'
XL!
Tlic sjici'cmI tirain.'is ancI(Mi(l\ oxhihitcd ;U Co-
iiliy ilvcw iiiiMifiisc luiilliliidcs io llial cilj , >\liicli
was as iniic'li o>\iiij»- to ils cciUral situation, as to
these e\liil)ilions heirijj- sometimes li'e<juentetl l)y
royally. In I41(>, Henry Y. ami his iiohles took
[•real (leli||ht in seeinjj- ihe PajjeanJs ; and in I'^iJG,
«on Cin-jms Cinisti yeven a( ny|»ht eanu; the qnene
[Mar(>arel] from Kelyngworth to Coventre , at uhich
tyme she >vol(l not he met , hut came [U'ively to se
the play there on the morowe, and she syjjh the
pagentes pleyle save domes day, uhich mijjht not
he pleyde for lael; of day, and she \Nas loged at
Uiehard Wodes the {jroeer , >\here Richard Sharp
sometyine dwelled, and there all the pleys Averc
lursl pleyie, an«l there were wilh her then lordes
and ladyes. " Richard III. in 148^1, came to see the
Corpus Christi Plays. In 148G, Henry YH. was
present at the performance of the Pag^cants on St.
Peter's day, and much commended them; and in
\^^\)*2 again visited the city, to see the plays acted
hy the (irey Friers*. Refore the suppression of
the Monasteries, the Grey Friers of Coventry were
greatly celehrated for then* exhihitions on Corpus
Christi day; their Pageants, says Dugdale, «l)eing
acted ANith mighty State and Reverence hy the
Friers of this House, had Theaters for the several
Scenes , > cry large and high , placed upon »'heels,
and (lra\Mi to all the eminent Parts of the City,
Day of J 11(1 f/ incut , hy tin- » rl>st<rs. Of (liis scrii's, lliirc arc ti>o
copies aiiioiij; the ll:irh-iaii >ISS. in the Jtrilish Musciiiii, one at (he
llodlcian, anil one in the jiosses>i(»n of the Dul.e of Devonshire. They
b.ar the dates of IGOO, 1G07 , 1(J04, ami liJOl respecliTcly. It
is from that of 1(500 the pieces in this Collection are printed.
Sharpe. Dissertation on the Coventry -Mysteries, pp. 4, li. 4to.
for the better Ativan tag-e of Spectators: And contain-
ed the Story of the Ohl and New Testament, com-
posed in the old Enjjlish Rithme , as appeareth by
an antient MS. intituled Lucius Corporis Christi , or
Ludus Coventriae. I have been told by some old
people , who in their young-er years were eye - wit-
nesses of these Pageants so acted, that the yearly
confluence of people to see that shew was extraor-
dinary g-reat, and yielded no small advantage to
this City*.» These plays certainly formed no part
of the entertainments exhibited by the trading- com-
panies of Coventry. The subjects are for the most
part identical with those of the two other series,
but more numerous , consisting- of forty-two plays t.
The Towneley Miracle - plays , (so named from
being- in the possession of this family,) called also
* Dugdaie, Uistory of Wainiclishiic , p. IIG, edit. 16S6.
t I. The Creation. II. The Fall of Man. III. The Death of
Abel. IV. Noah's Flood. Y. Ahraham's Saerilice. YI. Moses and
the Two Tables. YII. The Genealogy of Christ. YIII. Anna's
Pregnaney. IX. 3Iaiy in the Temple. X. Her Betrothnient. XI.
The Salutation and Conception. XII. Joseph's Return. XIII. The
Visit to Elizabeth. XIV. The Trial of Joseph and Mary. XY. The
Birth of Christ. XYI. The Shepherds' Oflering. XVII. Caret in
MS. XVIII. Adoration of the Magi. XIX. The Purifieatlon. XX.
Slaughter of the Innoeents. XXI. Christ disputing in the Temple.
XXII. The Baptism of Christ. XXIII. The Temptation. XXIV.
Tlie Woman tahen in Adultery. XXA'. Lazarus. XXYI. Council
of the Jens. XXVII. Mary Magdalen. XXVIII. Christ betrayed.
XXIX. Uerod. XXX. The Trial of Christ. XXXI. The Dream of
Pilate's Wife. XXXII. The Crucifixion. XXXIII. The Descent
into Hell. XXXIA'. Sealing of the Tomb. XXXY. The Resurrec-
tion. XXXYI. The Three Marias. XXXVII. Christ appearing to
Mary 3Iagdalen. XXXYIII. The Pilgrim of Emaus. XXXIX. The
Ascension. XL. Descent of the Holy Ghos(. XLI. The Assumption
of the Virgin. XLII. Doomsday. Tliis ]>1S. Mas written at least
as early as the reign of Henry V II.. .nod is in {he British Museum
in the Bibl. Cotton, A esp. D. Mil.
iUo \\i(ll;ii*k, arc wriltcii in a style llial ina\ be
rclV'netl to the ri'ij>ii itl* IIi'iiin VI. or Edward IV.
Where Uie pl.iys eons(IUitiii{>- lliis series were ori-
ginally perJornicd , is a matter til' some doubt. These
dramas are lre<|iiotill\ called the \\ idi;irl; ^ iroin a
tradition, that, prior to the dissolution ol' the mo-
nasteries , they belonged to the Abbey of W idliirk,
near AVahelicId, in the County of \ Orh. This tra-
dition has uiarlis ol' a genuine character. There is,
ho^\ever, no place called Widhirh in the neigh-
bourhood id' AAahetield, and neither there nor in
any part of England >\ as there an Abbey of ^^ id-
liirh. Rut there is a place called A-Voodkirl; in that
neiglibourhootl, and at AVoodhirk there >vas a cell
ol' Augustinian I'riars. Whatever weight there may
he attached to the tradition respecting the original
possession, must, theretbre , be given to the claim
of* this Cell of Monks at Woodkirk. This place is
about four miles to the north of Wakelield. A
small r(digious Connnunity uas csfaiilished there in
the llrst half century after the Con(|uest by the
Karls ^^ arren , to >vhom the great Lordship of
Wakelield belonged , and they >vere placed in sub-
jection to the house of ]\ostel. Henry I. granted
to the friars of >ostel, a charter, for two fairs to
be held at Woodkirk, — one at the Feast of the
Assumption, the other on the Feast of the >\itivity
of the IJIessed 3lary. This grant was conllrmed by
liinjj Slejdien. !!\ow it was at such [ilaces and on
such occasi(»ns, that sacred dramas were usually
evhiinted. Moreo\er internal e\idenee confirms the
tradition. >> ords ami phrases that are peculiar to
I his j»arl of Yorkshire , at least more fre<piently to
XLIV
be heard there than in any other part, and are
still existing in the vernacular lang-uage of that di-
strict, in the sense in which they are used in these
plays, are often to be met with in this series.
Thoug-h the original possession of this MS. must
be attributed to the Friars of Woodldrk , yet it
seems very probable that some of these dramas
were performed at Wakefield. Thus at the begin-
ning' of the first is written in a large hand « WAKJE-
FELDE » and « BERKERS , •' the meaning of
which seems to be , that this Miracle-play was re-
presented at the town of Wahefield by the company
or fellowship of the Barkers or Tanners. To the
second is prefixed «GEOVER PAG...,' without
the word Wakefield. The imperfect word seems to
have been « Pagina. » At the head of the third , we
find «WAKEFELD,>' without the name of any
trade. There are also two more allusions of the
same kind. In the language as well as the style
of this series , a diversity may be perceived , arising,
perhaps, from their not having proceeded from one
hand , and from the collection having been made
up partly of compositions strictly original, and
partly of compositions from other similar collections .
The Miracle-play entitled Seciimla Pastorum , re-
printed in this Collection , is , perhaps , the most sin-
gular religious drama , if such a term may be
applied to it, now in existence. This series con-
sists of thirty-two plays t,
* Perface to the « Towneley Mysteries," 8ro. 1856.
f I. Crcatio. II. Mactatio Al)cl. III. Processus IVoe cum filiis.
IV. Alii-aliain. V. Isaac. A'l. Jacol». All. Processus Prophetarum.
VIII. Phaiao. IX. Caesar Aufjustus. X. Aiinuuciatio. XI. Salutatio
Ill >\lial lanjjiiaoe the early Eiij^llsh ^liraele-
plays were nritlen , is a siihjecl of some uncertainty,
and nliieb is iindoiilitedly OAvinjj- , in a g^rcat mea-
sure , to the ik'slruetion at the time of the Re-
formation of numbers of MSS. that savoured of
Roman Callioheism *. If v,c consider , that the first
piece of this hind we have an account of >vas Avrit-
ten by a Frenchman, that »'ilHam the Conqueror
as well as his successors endeavoured to brin{>- the
French lan|jna<»e into {jeneral use in Enjjland , and
that till the reign of Edward III. this tongue was
the prevailing one in England", we shall have
some reason for concluding that this was the lan-
puage in which these performances were first writ-
ten 5. Several verses are to be found in these
Elizabeth. XII. Prima Taijiua Pastorum. XIII. Secunda Pagiua
Pasforuni. XIV. Oblatio Ma{;oruiii. XV. Fiigatio Josr|)h ct Mariae
in Ejjyptuiii. Xn. :^Ia{;nus Ilerodes. XVII. Purilicatio Maria;.
XVIII. Pajjiiia Doctorum. XIX. Jobannes Baplista. XX. Conspi-
ratio et Captio. XXI. Colipbizatio. XXII. Flajjcllatio. XXIII. Pro-
cessus Crucis. XXr\'. Processus TabMitorum. XXV. Extractio Ani-
maruni ab Inferno. XXVI. Resurrectio Domini. XXVII. P<'rc(rriiu.
XXTIIT. Thomas India.*. XXIX. Ascensio Domini. XXX. Judiliuui.
XXXI. Lazarus. XXXH. Suspensio Judie.
* Lcland , the anliqnary and one of Ibe most eulijjbtened men of
bis a{^e , who >ias appointed by Henry Vllf. to search for and pre-
serve such %vorl;s as mi[;ht rescue remarbabb- Eiijilish events and oc-
currences from oblivion, >vas nevertheless a destroyer of >ISS. that
contained any reference to the peculiar doctrines of the Roman Ca-
tholic relifjion. He remarks, in a report, that one of his purposes in
the e\amination of the dillerent liberarics , >vas to expel -the crafty
coloured doctrine of a roT»t of Romaj-ne byssbopps. '
t Ellis, Early English Poets, vol. i. pp. 124-126. ed. 1811.
§ The Abbe dc la Rue and Monsieur Chateaubriand are of opi-
nion , that the first Miracle-play performed in England >vas composed
in French. Ktudr.t sur Irs M;islcrcs . jiar ihic>iiiip Ic lioy, p. 'J. ed.
1837. There has recently been discovered in the Royal Library at
plays in Latin . but it is no proof of their having- been
composed in that tongne ; for it >vas a custom of
the early Enghsh poets to interweave their pieces
with lines in that language. It must , nevertheless ,
be remarked, that though the g-eneral opinion of
Enghsh writers favours a French original in prefer-
ence to a Latin , yet many reasons might be as-
signed to make it extremely douJitftd: but as this is
a subject on which authors are not ag-reed , it is
useless, on the present occasion, to enter on a re-
view of suppositions and theories , while eng-agped in
the consideration of matters of fiict*.
It has been already remarked , that Higden,
supposed to be the author of the Chester series,
Avas three times at Rome before he could obtain
leave to have these plays in English, and not long
afterwards a law was passed requiring «all pleas in
the Courts of the King, or of any other lord, shall
be pleaded in the Enghsh tong-ue ~. » 3Iany of the
Paris a fragment of a play of the Resurrection in -4jiglo->'orman, and
-which is supposed to have heen composed about the middle of the
twelfth century. It was pubHshed in 1854 by Monsieur A. Johinal.
The opinions of French writers ou this point may be best
gathered from Etudes sug les Mtjst'eres , par Onesime le Boy , Intro-
duction, pp. IX; XTI— XIX, edit. 1856, and Mysteres inedits du
quinzieme sieelepar xtchille Juhinal, Preface, pp. X — XATI. edit. 1837.
f o6th of Edward UI. It appears probable , that prerions to this
period these dramas were written in .\jiglo-]>orman , if not still ear-
lier in Latin. Besides the 3Iiracle-play in Anglo- Aorman mentioned
in a former note (see p. XLY note §), two others written in the same
language have been lately discovered; one of them is by Hermaim ,
an .Inglo-Xorman poet, who lived 1127—1170; the other by Arch-
bishop Langton. >1. Raynonard has printed in his Choix de poesies
des Troubadours a 3Iiracle-play — the wise and foolish llrgins , a
drama of the eleventh century written in Latin, French, and the lan-
gnage of Provence.
plays slreiipjllicn the supposition that they Mere ori-
jjiiially written in French, at least show pretty
plainly thai some of them were translations from
that lanjjuajje. In Lc MisCerc flu viet Testament
fuir person natjes., joue a Paris ^ printed 1)\ Anioiiie
Verard ai)oul 1490, hut acted at a much earher
date, we find the lollowing exclamation of Isaac : —
Mais vueillez moy Ics yeulx caohicr ,
Aflin que lc {jlaive ne voyc ;
Quant tie moy veudres approcliier ,
Peult «'>trp (jiie je fouyroye.
In the fourtli play of the Chester scries, we
find these hues : —
Also, father, I pray you, hyde my eyen.
That I see not your sworde so keene ;
Your stroke , father , I would not see ,
Least I a(rainst it {frill.
The fifth play of the same collection affords
still further evidence to the same point: it relates
to Iun{»- Balah, and Balaam the prophet. In the
French Mistcre^ the iVss, sorely heateu, thus ad-
tlresses his rider: —
Baalam , suis jc pas ta heste ,
Sur qui tu a toujours este ,
Tant en yver comme on este?
To foiz jamais toll chose?
In the Chester play the passa(je occupies one
line more : —
Ame not I, master . tliyne owno assc ,
To hoaro thoe whether thou ^villo passe.
11 Henry VIII. , «Liisoribiis cum adjutorio Coii-
ventiis, 2s. :» — 12 Henry VIII., «JocatorJbus
cum adjutorio Conventus , 2s. * »
Although we have shown tliat the clergy assist-
ed in these performances , yet it does not appear
that they had, at least in latter times, the chief
hand in them. Such appears to have heen the case
at Chester, York, and Ncwcaslle, where Miracle-
plays were performed by trading -companies, each
guild undcrtaljing a portion of the performance , and
sustaining a share of the expense. The authentic
information regarding the exhibition of the Corpus
Christi plays at Coventry, extends from 141(> to
lo91, and during the whole of that period there
is not the slightest indication that the clergy in any
way co-operated.
Miracle -plays were most probably at first ex-
hibited in churches. Some MSS. contain the di-
rection, cum Cftnlu et orgnnis^ — a proof that they
were acted in holy places. In the register of Wil-
liam of Wylichan, Bishop of Winchester, under
the year 1584, an episcopal injunction is recited
against the exhibition of Spectacula in the cemetery
of his cathedral t. Burnet informs us, that Bonner,
Bishop of London, issued a proclamation to the
clergy of his diocese, dated lo42, prohibiting «all
manner of common [days , games , or interludes to
be played, set forth, or declared, within their
churches, chapels, etc. §.»
c Aputl Collier, vol. ii. j». 1-52.
t Apnd A'^arton, vol. i. p. 240.
§ History of tlie Reformation, i CoU. Rec. j). 22i' , cflit. fol.
Il is iiol >t'r\ t'asN lo j|iM' ;t clear and torrcci
ai'coiiiil of the mecbanicMl eonlrivaiitTs iisetl iii the
reprcsciilalioii of Miiarlr-plays, o\\In|{ fo (lie dliVei'-
eiit c'liaii.'|('s wliit'li imisl I'limi liiiii' l«» lime liave
lalieii place in I lie iiiamier oT e\liil)iliojj- llieni in
the earlier limes, (Vom the \m\\ m which Ihey wevQ
acted in the sixteenlh cenUiry. Sacred dcamas, as
>ve have aheady seen, were IVeqiienlly repi'esenled
in chnrches , hnl with wlial assislance, e\cepl llial
of the choir and onjan , we are ignorant. They
were sometimes evhihited in a field, as was the case
in liJll, in the parish of Bassinj* borne , in Caui-
bridjjeshire; and we lind in the (day Mavhdio ^ihcl
of the Towneley series, Cain al pluii?»h with a team
of horses, which conid not have been shown on a
scalToM. In latter limes ihey appear to have been
frequently represented on moveable slajjes. Arch-
deacon llo{»ers, who died in 1J9J, and saw the
31iraele- plays acted in Chester, f»i>es the follow injj
account of the way in which they were exhibited: —
• The maner of these playes weare, every com[)anN
had his pajjiant , \\^^ pagiants weare a high scaf-
olde with *2 rowmes, a higher and a lower, upon
A wheeles. In the lower they apparelled them-
selves, and in the higher rownie lhe\ played, beinge
all open on (he tope, that all belioidders iiii||lil
heare and see them. The places where thc\ pjased
them was in e\er\ sireele. Thev begaiie liist at
the Abay gates, and when the first pagiante was
played, il was wheeled to tlii; highe crosse before
the Mayor, and so lo every slreete, and soe every
streelc had a pagianl playinge before them al one
time, till all the pagianles for the <la\«' ajipoNnfed
VI *
ended, uorde uas broiij'lile Iroiii sireele lo slreele,
that soc Jliey iiiijjlile coine in place llieretd , e\ee<l-
injye orderlye, and all ibe slreeles lia>e tlieir pa-
jjiantes aibi'e iheni all at one iline |da>ein||e lo}|ea-
tlier; to se ^^liieh pla>es \>as jjreat resorle, and
also seat'oldes and stayes made in the sireeles in
those places >>here they deleiniined to playe theire
pa^iantes *. »
Slrntt gives the follow inj» description of the
manner of performing these plays: — «In the early
dawn of literalnre, and when the sacred Mysteries
were the oiMn lheatri(*al performances, what is now
called the stage <lid then consist of three several
platforms or stages, raised one al»o>e another; on
the uppermost sat the Paler Cwieslis ^ snrroiMi(h'd
with his angels; on the second appeared the holy
saints and glorified men; and llie last and lowest
was occnpied hy mere men, wUo had not yet pass-
ed from this transitory life to the regions of eter-
nity. On one side of this lowest platform was the
resemblance of a darh pitchy cavern, from whence
issued appearance of fire and flames ; and when it
was necessary the audience were treated with hideous
yellings and noises, as imitative of the bo^\ lings and
cries of the wretched souls tormented by the relent-
less daemons. From this yawning cave the devils
themselves constantly ascended , to delight and to
instruct the spectators^ to delight, because they
were usually the g^reatest jesters and bulToons that
then appeared 5 and to instruct , for that they treated
'' * Sharj»c, Dissertadon on thi- Coventry Mrstcrics . p. f7. Ilo.
'^
f-
U^^-^t^^H^ )yti^''^Pt,-a'^^^^^i>c^'^yf^ .
/iuy^^^^^^<, ^p^y.^nr^^<^ i^-T^/i^yc/^ \ y^ /
llic wretched morlals, nlio were deliverctl lo lliein,
wilh ihc iitmosl cruelly, nariiinjj (lierel)y all men
carefully to avoid the fallin)> into the clutches of
such hardeued and remorseless spirits*."
The Pageants exhibited in Coventry l)y the
diflferent guilds, were performed on moveable scaf-
folds, as is plainly proved by numerous entries from
14o0 to lo91 , which arc still to be read in the
accounts of their expenses, and which may be seen
in the work of Sharp t. The Cappers' Conij)any
had twelve, and the Drapers' ten men, to draw
their scaffolds. Otdy one instance occurs of horses
having: been employed, and that is in the records
of the Drapers' Company for lo91 , the last year
in which they performed.
The accounts of the various guilds contain
entries of sums paid for machinery, dresses, etc.,
which tend to throw some light on the way in
which these Pageants were represented. The sub-
ject of the Smith's Pageant was the Trial, Condem-
nation, and Crucilixion of Christ, as will appear
from the following list of Characters , Machinery,
etc. collected from Aarious entries of charges in the
records of this company bet>\een 1AA\) and Ji>8i>,
the last vear of their exhibiting:: —
CHARACTERS.
God, sometimes Jesus. Peter .-md ]\I;iIeliiis,
Cajplias. Anna.
Ileroiule. Pilate.
Pilate's Wife. Pilale's Son.
3!aiiiuTs and disjoins , v«il. iii. |>. 150.
T Dissertation on the (^oicnli* llysforirs , |). 20. ilo.
The
lit
..(lie
The
1).
vil.
Jiul;
s.
2 Knights.
4 T(U"uienloi>.
2 Priiwes, A. I). 1400 ouh
MACIILXEUY. ele.
The Cross wilh a I|o|)e lo ('•■.nv il up, ami a Curlaiii
haiioin*}- hefore it.
G«'(liii{| the Pi'ljir and the Cross.
2 PaW- or Callous.
4 Seoi!';;es and a Pi'l.T.
Sc.-JToId.
Fanes to the Pa<|eanl.
Mendinrj ol" Imagery occurs 14G0.
A Standard of red Buctfam.
T>vo red Pcnsiles of Cloth painted, and silk Fringe.
Ivon to hold up the Streamer.
DRESSES, etc.
4 Gowns and 4 Hoods J'or the Tormentors. — (These are
afterwards deser<hed as Jackets of hiaek buckram with
nails and dice upon them.^ Other 4 gowns with da-
mask llowers; also 2 Jackets parly red and black.
2 IMilres (for Cayphas and Annas).
A Rochet for one of Ihe Bishops.
God's Coat of ^Jiiie leather, 6 skins.
A Stafl' for (he Demon.
2 Spears.
Gloves (12 pair at once).
Herod's Crest of Iron.
Scarlet Hoods and a Tabard.
Hats and Caps.
Cheverel [Peruke] for God.
5 Chevercls and a Beard.
2 Chevercls gilt for Jesus and Peter,
Faulehion for Herod.
Scarlet Gonn.
Alaces.
Girdle for God.
A new Sudere [the veronica] for
A Seldall [seat] for God.
Sceptres for Ilerod and bis Son.
Poleaxe for Pilate's Son.
God.
THE EXPENSES FOR 1490, yERBATI3I.
This is the expens of the furste reherse of our players
in ester Aveke.
luprimis in Brede ...... iiij^
Itm in Ale ........ viij**
Itm in keehyn ....... xiij**
Itm in Tynegre ...... j*'
Itm payd at the Second Reherse in Whyttson-
weke in hrede , Ale and keehyn. . . ij^ iiij''
Itm for drynkynge at the pagent in having
forthe in Wyne and ale
Itm in the mornynge at diner and at Sopper
in Costs in Brede
Itm for ix galous of Ale .
Itm for a Ryhhe of hefe and j gose
Itm for keehyn to dener and sopp
Itm for a Rybhe of hefe .
Itm for a qiiarte of wyne .
Itm for an other quarte for heyrynge of procula
is gowne
Itm for gloves .
Itm spend at the repellynge of the pagantte
and the expenecs of havinge it in and furthe
Itm in paper .......
Md payd to the players for corpus xisti daye
Inprimis to God
Itm to Gayphas
Itm to Ileroude
Itm to Pilatt is wyife
Itm to the Bedull
Itm to one of the Knights
Itm to the devyll and to Jiid;
vij-
xviij"
if »r
jj''
y
s ,-jd
xiiij^i
ob.
ye-
iy
UJ*
iilj*i
iij«
iiijJ
xviij**
If 1]"
Itm to Pctuv ami inj>lclu
I ill! to Ami.-»
lidi to PPatte
Itiii to Pilatte is sonue
Iliii to an other liDig;hte
Itm to the MynsJcel^
Minstrels appear to have taUen no inconsider-
able part in these performances, for we find them
very frequently assisting- in the»»* execution. It is,
however, impossible to discover at what time they
fi''st performed in these exh'bitions , as the earliest
MS. we have of these sacred d'^amas is not much
older than the middle of the fifteenth century,
though if we may judg^e from the popularity of
minstrels in England, even as early as the Con-
quest^ it is not at all improbable tbat they assisted
at a very early period. In the second play of the
Chester series, « mjnstrells playinge» is noted in
the margin not less ihan foin" times; and in the
eigbth play of the same series they also tal.e part
in the execution of Ihe piece. The accounts of
the Tradmg^ Companies of Coventry contain many
enlries of sums of money paid to minstrels between
the years i4i>0 and li590. It seems not impro-
bable that they, besides performing- in their pecu-
I'ar quality, acted such parts as required to be sung",
wh^ch certainly would be very appropriate for them,
and could not have been well performed without
their assistance.
We meet often with the character of God in
these dramas, and this, accordJug" to oi"* ideas,
appears to be h'g'hly improper and even irreverent.
* Shpvpe, pp. 14-10.
It iniisl, however, J)e eonsidci'ed , ibal as one of
the (lesijjns ol* Miraele - plays was to instruct the
people in the Scriptures , this character was partly
necessary; at least our forefathers could have seen
no g-reat impropriety in it, or they would not have
admitted it in these performances to the extent they
did. It is worthy of remarl; , that in the accounts
of the Cappers' Company of Coventry for I060,
the following- entry is found: — «ltm payd to
God xij«l,» which is the more singular as it
occurs some years after the Reformation was cfTected
in Engiand. This does not, however, at all prove,
that even at that time when there was a greater
sense of propriety prevalent, it was considered hy
any irreligious ; for we must recollect that these
plays were generally performed every year, so that
persons accustomed to behold them from their ear-
liest infancy , did not perceive those improprieties,
which would have occurred to others dilferently
circumstanced.
A character even more irreverent than the
foregoing" was the Holy Ghost ^ who, though some-
times represented as a dove , was occasionally as .1
human figure. The eleventh play of the Chester
series has this personage. The follo^^ing entries,
which are to be found in the boohs of the Cappers'
Company, prove that the Holy Ghost was repre-
sented by a real person : —
Itm payd to the sprj tt of <>od .... xvj^
Itni paytl for tbe spret of fj^ods cote . . . ij*
Iloi payd for the inal'nj; of (he same cote viij'^
Itm payd for ij yardos and halfe of hockram
to make the spv"its fof*" .... ij'' j'^
LVIII
Of all the various characters that played in
these relig-ioiis dramas , no one appears to have
acted so prominent a part as the Devil. This can
be easily accounted for, as he seems clearly to
have been the harlequin in Miracle-plays, and there-
fore a great favorite with the spectators. It is not
unlikely , from the extracts g:iven by Sharpe * , that
he was usually represented with horns , a very wide
mouth (by means of a mask) , staring- eyes , a large
nose , a red beard , cloven feet , a tail ^ and was
furnished with a good thick club.
Several of the pieces of the Chester and Co-
ventry series have characters named Expositor,
Doctor, and Contemplation, whose office appears
to have been to deliver a prologue , epilogue , or ,
as is the case in the thirteenth play of the last
mentioned series , to mal.e remarks on what passes.
The following is the epilogue to this drama, which
is spol;en by Contemplation , and is curious on
account of I he introduction of a number of persons
with English names, who are summoned to appear
before the Bishop-^ as well as that it informs us,
in the sevenlh verse, that money Avas collected for
the performances. It is necessary to remarl; , in
order to understand correctly the first and last ver-
ses , that the following play is The Trial of Mary
and Joseph,
Avoyd, sers, and Ictc my lordc tlic l)uscliop come.
And syt ill the coni-lc tlic lawos for to doo ;
And I sclirill jjon in lliis place them for to somowne.
The tliat ben in my book, the court ye must com too.
\ Disseriation <»ii the Co^culrv Myslerics , pp. Ji7 , 08.
I warne you here all a bowle ,
That I suuio» n you , all the rowte .
Loke ye fayl for no tlowte
At the eourt to pere :
Both John Junlou, au<l Geffrey Gyle,
Malkyn Mylkedoke, and fayr Mal.yle,
Ste\-)n Sturdy, and Jak at the style.
And Sawdyr sadelere.
Thoni Tynker, and Betrys belle,
Peyrs Potter, and Whalt at the welle,
Syniiue Smalfeyth, and Kate Kelle,
And Bertyhnen the hocher.
Kytt cakeler, and Colett crane,
Gylle fetyse, and fayr Jane,
Powle ])ewter, and Piuel prane.
And Phelypp the g^ood lleccher.
Cok eranc , and Davy drydust.
Luce Lyer, and Letyce lytyl trust.
Miles the miller, and eolle erake crust,
BoJli hette the baker, and Robyn Rede.
And loke ye rynjje welc in \o^vr j)urs,
For ellys yowr cawse may spede the uurs ,
Thow that ye slynjre yoddys curs ,
Evya at myn hcde.
Bothe Bontyngf the browster, and Sybyly Slynjfc,
Mejffje Mery ^vedyr , and Sabyn Sprjnye ,
Tyffany T>\yakeler , fayle for no thynj^e ;
Fast com a May
The coiirle schal be this day.
Several of fhe ^liiacic- plays are founded on
the I\e\v Testamenl Apocrypha. This is more es-
pecially the case wilh those of the Coventry scries,
of \\hich oijj^ht oavo their orifjin to this soiii'cc. Ir»
LX
the eighth phiy of this scries, Annas Pvcqnanni ^
Jvachim says ,
So shulde every ciii-al, in lliis werde wyde ,
GeAe a part to bis olianiicel, I >vys ;
A part to his parocheiiers , that to poverl slytle ;
The thyrd part to kepc for hyin and his.
Ill the l\cw Testament Apocrypha >vc iiiid in
ihe hooli oi' Manj ^ Chap. I. v. .">. Their lives uerc
phuii and ri}»hl in the sijjhl of the Lord, pions and
fanltlcss before men. For they divided all their
snbstance into three parts: ^i. One of* >Ahieh they
devoted to the temple and oflicers of the femjde*,
another they dislril)ute(l amonj| stranjj-ers , and per-
sons in poor circumstances; and ihe third they
reserved for themselves and the uses of their own
family.
In the ninth play, J}Liry in t/ie Temple, the
Miishop says,
A gracyous lord! this is a raervelyous thyii};e
That we se here all in syyht ,
A babe of thre yer ag'C so zynge^
To come vp these greeys so vp right ;
It is an hey meracle.
The parallel passage is in the booh of J/rrry,
Chap. IV. Y. 4. The parents of me blessed Yirg-in
and infant Mary put her upon one of these stairs;
i5. But Avhile they were putting off their clothes,
in which they" had travelled , and according to
custom putting on some that were neat and clean.
6. In the mean time the Virgin of the Lord in
such a manner went up all !he s»airs one after
another , without the help of any to lead her or
hft her, that any one wouhl have judged from
hence, that she was of perfect ag-e.
In the fourteenth play , the Trial of Joseph
and Mary, the liishop says ,
Her is the hotel of Goddys vengeanns ;
This di-nyk shall he now thi purgaeion.
We find in the book of Protevan , Chap. XI.
V. 17. But he wept l)itterly, and the priest added,
I will cause you both to drink the water of the
Lord, which is for trial, and so your iniquity shall
be laid open before you.
The New Testament Apocrypha has been used
not only in the compilation of the Coventry series ,
but also in the Chester and Townely. The Descent
of Christ into Hell, founded upon the apocryjjhal
gospel of Nicodemus , forms part of each of these
three collections. There can be htttle doubt, that
the Apocrypha was chosen by the writers of these
plays as best suited to the barbarous ages in which
they appeared, from its containing more improba-
bilities and absurdities.
The feeling of propriety that our ancestors
entertained w as certainly rather of a lax land , w hich
is seen from the contents of many of these plays,
but especially from the stage directions to the se-
cond play of the Chester series. This drama com-
prised the creation, temptation and fall: after this
event the direction in the margin is, that Adam
and Eve shall cover genitalia sua cum foliis , Avhereas
until then stahinit nttdi, et nan verecimdnbunlur *.
Perhaps onr fbreliithers thou^jht it no indecency
to g'ive snch representations, considering: they had
the authority of scripture for such cvhihitions ; but it
must nevertheless strike us as not a little extraor-
dinary, that at least as late as the close of the
sixteenth century such scenes Mere to be found in
England. We learn this fact from a play entitled
The Trauai/cs of the Ihrcc EmjUsh Brol/icrs , 1607.
4to., of ^hich the following is an extract.
So- nan f.
Sir, heres au Ea<|lisliuiau desires aceessc lo you.
Sir yinlJionij Sfiirleij.
Au Eng'lislimau wlials his name.
Seriiant.
He calls himselfe Kempe.
[Em/pi- Hempe.J
Sir Authomj Shirley.
Kemp, bid him come iu , welcome honest Will, and
how doth all thy fellowes in England.
Kempe.
Why like good felloAves when they haue no money ,
liue vpon credit.
Sir Anthony Shirley.
And what gfood new Plays banc yon.
In the second play of the Coventry series, Adam says,
Se us nat;yd be for and he hyndc.
Woman ley tliis lett" on (lii |)l•^^yte,
And nitli this lefl" I sliall hvde me.
Kempe.
Many Idle toyes, Imt the old play that Adam and Euc
acted in hare action Ander the figge tree di-awes most of
the Gentlemen*.
In ^vhatever light we may be disposed to view
Miracle -plays, there can be no doubt that the
pubUc exhibition of them was attended with several
beneficial effects. They were very useful in the ci-
vihsation of the people , from their bringing together
all classes , and giving them a taste for other amuse-
ments than those which required only strength
and prowess, and must moreover have been highly
valuable in an age when few could read, as a
means of instructing the people in the truths of
Christianity.
'^ This extract is taken from a reprint of this play in Biblior/ra-
phical Memoranda, j». 347. Bristol 1816. Of this ^vork only one
hundred copies ^vere published , and it is much to be regretted that this
custom of reprinting only a very limited number of scarce books , often
only twenty -five, prevails so generally, as it tends to make these
ATorks excessively expensive , and very difficult to prociu-e.
CHESTER
MIRACLE - PLAY S.
THE DELUGE.
Deus.
A God that all the World have wrouj}ht
Heaven, Earth, and all oi' nought,
I see my people, in deede and thought,
Are fowle rotted iu synne.
My Ghost shall not lenge iu man,
That through fleshlie likingf is my fone:
But till vi skore yeares be gfoue.
To loke if they will hlyune.
Manne that I made 1 will destroy;
Beast, worme, and fowle (o flie:
For on earthe they doe me noye ,
The folke y* is thereon.
For it harmcs me so hartfullie
The malyce now that can multeply.
That sore me jjreves, inwardlie.
That ever I made manne.
Therfore I\oe, my servant free.
That righteous man art , as I see ,
A shipp sone thou shalt make the,
Of trees drye and lij;ht.
1*
MIBACLE- PLAYS.
Litlle chambers therein thou make.
And byndinjy slich a?so thou take:
Whin and out , thou ne slake
To anoynte it throujjh all thy might.
500 Cubytes it shall be lonjje.
And so of breadeth, to make it strong,
Of heighte so, the mest thou fonge.
Thus measure it about.
One Window woreh through thy mijjht.
One cubyte of length and breadeth make it:
Upon the syde a dore shall fit.
For to come in and out.
Eatinge places thou make also.
Three rowfed chambers , one or two :
For w'i» water I thinke to stowe
Man that I can make.
Destroyed all the World shall be,
Save thou, thy Wife, thy sonnes thre;
And all theii" ^Yives, .ilso, w'** the.
Shall saved be for thy sake.
Noe.
Ah Lord! I thanke the, lowd and still,
That to me art in such will ;
And spares me and my house to spill.
As now I sothlic fynd.
Thy bydding , Lord , I shall fulfill ,
And never more the greeve , ne grill ,
That suche jfraee has sent me till.
Among all mankiude.
Have done yow men and women all ;
Hclpe , for ought that may befall ,
To worke this shipp , chamber and hall ,
As God hath bydden vs doc.
Sent.
Father , I am already bowne ,
Anne axe T have, by my crowne!
THE DELLUE.
As sliarpo us auv in all this (uuiio.
For to g-oe thcrelo.
Ham.
1 have a hatchet, Avoadei* keiie ,
To byte well , as may he scene ,
A better {froMndeu, as 1 weae.
Is not in all this townc.
Jd/j/irf.
And I can well make a pyn.
And w*!* this hasunicr knocke \l iu;
Goe and worchc , w'liout uiorc tlynic.
Anil I am ready bownc.
f'.xor yoe.
And A\c shall bring- tymbcr, tu ,
For women nothing- els doe;
Women be weake to undcrg-oc
Any great travaylc.
f'xor Sent.
Here is a g-ood hackstoke;
Ou this you must hew and knocli:
Shall non be idle in this floeke,
IVe now may no m:ui fayle.
f'xor Ham.
And I will goe to gather slickc ,
The slupp for to cleane and piehe :
Anoynted it must be, every stich ,
Board, tree, and pyn.
f'xor Japbct.
And 1 will gather ehippes here
To make a fire for yow, in feere ,
And for to dig^ht yo' dynner,
Ajfainst yoAV eome in.
[Tunc f'nciintt xirjna quaxi Inbornrciil cum HivcrsD
iitstrnnienh'/i.]
MIKACLE- PLAYS.
l\oe.
Now , in the name of God , I Avill hepin
To m.-ike the shijjpe that we shall in ,
That we be ready for to swyni
At the eomiufy of the floode.
These ])iirdes I joyne to > ether,
To keep vs safe from the wedder.
That we may rome lioth hither and thider ,
And safe l)e from this tloode.
Of this tree will I have the mast
Tyde w"^ gables that will last;
VV*'' a sayle yarde for each blaste ,
And each thing in the hinde.
With topeas he and hen sprytt,
Wih ooardes ami ropes I hold all meete
To sayle forth at the next weete.
This shipp is at an eude.
AW.
Wife , in this castle Ave shall be keped ;
My childer and thou I wold in leaped!
f'xof jVoe.
In IVuth, rVoe, I had as lief thou had slepped
for all thy frankishfare,
For 1 \vill not doe after thy red.
i\oe.
Good Wife doe as I the bydd.
/aw Noe.
By Christ not, or I see more neede.
Though thou stand all the day and rave.
Lord , that women be crabbed aye !
And never are meke , that dare I saye.
This is well seue by me to daye ,
In witness of you eaeh one.
Good wife , let be all this beere
That ihou makes in (his place here.
THE DELl'UK.
For all they weuc tliou art luuister;
And so thou art, hy St. John!
Dens.
iXoe , lake thou thy mcauye ,
And in the shippe liye that you he.
For uone so I'ljjhteous man to me
Is now on earth lyvinge.
Of eleane heastes vi^ thee llu)u l.ihe
Seaven and seaven, or thou slake,
Ilee and sliee make to make
Belyve in that thou briuye.
Of beastes uneleaue two and two ,
Male and female , without moe ;
Of eleane fow les seaven alsoe ,
The hee and shee tojjelher.
Of fow les uneleaue two, and no more;
Of beastes as I said before:
That shall be saved tlxroujjhe my lore ,
Against I send the wcdder.
Of all meates that must lie eaten
Into the ship loke there be getten ,
For that no way may be foryeten.
And doe all tliis by deene.
To sustayne man and beastes thei-ein ,
Aye , till the waters cease and biyn.
This world is tilled full of synne ,
And that is now well sene.
Seaven dayes be yet eominge ,
You shall have space them into bringe ;
After that , it is my lyking
Mankiude for to noye.
Forty dayes and forty nightes ,
Rayne shall fall for their unrightes.
And that I have made through my mighle,
Now lliink'' I lo desto\e.
MIRArXE-PLA\S.
Noe.
Loi'd, at youre byddinge I am bayiie.
Sith lion other grace will gayne ,
Hit will I fulfill fayne.
For gracious I the fynde.
A hundred wynters and twenty
This shipp making tari'icd have I :
If, throujjh amendment, any mercye
Wolde fall vnto mankinde.
Have done , you men and women all ;
Hye you , lest this water fall ,
That each beast were in his stall
And into ship broughte.
Of cleane beastes seaven shall be ,
Of vncleane two , this God bade me ;
This floode is nye Avell may we see.
Therefore tary you noughte.
Syrr, here are lyons , libardes in.
Horses , mares , oxen , and swyne ,
Goates , calves , sheepe , and kine ,
Here sitten thou may see.
Ham.
Camels , afses , men may finde ,
Buck , doe , harte and hynde ,
And beastes of all manner kinde ,
Here bene , as thinckes mee.
Japhet.
Take here cattes and doggs to ,
Otter, fox, fulmar t also;
Hares, hopping gaylie, can yee
Have cowle here for to eate.
J\xor Noe.
And here are beares , Avolfes sett,
Apes , owles , marmoset ;
THE OELIGK.
Weesells , squirrles , and ferret ,
Here Ihey eaten their meate.
f'xor Sent.
Yet more heastes are in this house !
Here ealtcs niaken in full crowse ;
Here a ratten , here a mouse ,
They stand nye together.
f'xor Ham.
And here are fovvles les antl more ,
Hearnes , cranes, and hyltour,
Swans , peacocks , have them hefore !
Meate for this >vedder.
f^xor Japhet.
Here are cocks, kites, crowes ,
Rookcs , ravens, many rowes;
Cuckocs , curlewcs, whoso knows.
Each one in his kinde.
And here are doves, tliggs, drakes,
Redsliankes , running through y<= lakes ,
And each fo^vle that ledden makes.
In this sliipp men may hiule.
In the slajje direction the sons of I>oah are en-
joined to mention alond the names (d' the animals
which enter 5 a representation of Avhieh, painted on
parchment, is to l)e carried l)y the actors.
A'oe.
Wife, come in, wliy standes thou tliere ?
Thou art ever forward, that dare I sweare :
(^ome on Gods half, tyme yt were.
For feare lest tliat we dro>\ ne.
l\xor Xoc.
Yea Syr, set >p yo' sayle ,
And rowe forth \\^^ evill hcair ,
For, w'hout any fayle ,
I ^vill iml oul of fliis tonne.
10 MIRACLE -FLAYS.
But I have my g-ossips evei'icban.
One foote further I will not gone ;
They shall not drowne, by St. John!
And I may save theii' lyl'e.
They loved me full m ell , hy Christ !
But thou >vilt let them in thy ehist.
Els rowe forth, IXoe, whither thou list.
And get thee a new wife.
Noe.
Sem, some loe thy mother is wraw^
Forsooth, such another I do not know!
Sem.
Father, I shall sett her in, I trow.
Without any fayle.
Mother, my father after thee send.
And bydds thee into yonder ship wend:
Loke vp and se the wynde.
For we be ready to sayle.
fxof Noe.
Sonne , goe againe to him , and say ,
I w'lW not come therein to dayc !
Noe.
Come in, wife, in twenty devills waye;
Or els stand w'hout.
Ilain.
Shall ^ve all fctche her in?
Noe.
Yea, sounes, in Christs blessingc and myne ^
I wolde you hyde you betyme ,
For of this flood I am in doidjte.
Jdjj/iet.
Mother, we pray yow altogether.
For we arc here, yo' childer;
Come into Hie ship fore feare of the wedder.
For his love Hi.st you boughtc.
I lU: UEI.LUL'.
f'.xur Aoe.
That will 1 not for jo'call,
Bui if I have my jfossips all.
Tlic flood fomi's ill full llrolinjjc fast,
On every side it lireadotU iu liast ;
For feare of drowainjj I am anasl:
Good jjossijt, let uic t'ouie in I
Or let >s tU-incke, or we (lc]>art.
For often tyiues we have done soe ;
For at a lime ihoii drinckes a nuarle ,
And so will I or that I [joe.
Sciii .
In feyth, mother, yet you shall,
» liL'lher J on will or not!
[Tunc ibit.l
Noe.
Weleome , wife, into this hoale !
f'xor j\uc.
And haNe llioii that for thy note I
[Et tint itliiptiin ri"c(rt.J
Xoe.
Aha I marry this is hotel
It is j;ood to he still.
A childer! mcthiiikcs this hoale removes!
Our tarr\iiijr here hu{jelie me {jre>esl
Over the lande the water spredesi
God doe as he will I
Ah, jjreal tiodi tlioii arl so {;oodI
Xow all this world is on a flood !
As I see well in siijhte.
This window will I steake anon ,
And into my ehamher will I };one ,
Till this water, so {freate one.
Be slaked lliroujflie tliy mi|flile.
II
12
IVoali, according- to the stag-e directions, is now
to shut the Avindons of the ark , and retire for a
short time. He is then to chaunt the psahu, Salva
we, Domiiie! and afterwards to open them and look out.
Now forty dayes are fulhe gone,
Send a raven I will anone;
If aught were earth, tree, or stone,
Be drye in any place.
And if this fowle come not agviine.
It is a signe, soth to sayne.
That drye it is on hill or playne ,
And God hath done some grace.
A raven is now despatched.
Ah Lord ! wherever this raven lie ,
Somewhere is tlrye well I see;
But yet a dove, by my lewtye ,
After I will sende.
Thou wilt turn againe to me.
For of all fowles that may flye.
Thou art most mehe and bend.
The stage direction enjoins here that another
dove shall lie ready Mith an olive branch in its
nioulli, Avhich is to l)e dropt, by means of a cord,
into the hand of Noah.
Ah, Lord! hlefscd he thou aye.
That me hast comfort thus to daye!
By this sight , I may well saye ,
This flood heginnes to cease.
My sweete doue to me brought base
A branch of olyue from some place;
This bctokcncth God has done vs some grace.
And is a signe of peace.
Ah, Lord! honoured most thou be!
All carthc dj-yes nou I see;
I UK UKI.1 OK. I .1
Itiit \)-l t\ll tiidii ciiiiiiii.'iikIc UK*.
All this water is aUv. ■!><•,
Tlicrt'lorc . as soiu' as I iiiayc
Sa^■J•^ (ice I shall doc in faye
To 111.' .l.-NouJiyo.
Dpiis.
Xoo , lake lliy ^\il«' aiioiie.
And thy rhildrr oyery one ,
Out of the shippo thou shall (yone ,
And Ihoy all with thoo.
Boastes , and all that can flic.
Out anon they shall hye ,
On earth to jjtow and niidtcplvc:
I will y' yl he soc.
\,„'.
Lord, I thank the, ihroujjh llij mifjht ,
Thy hyddinjy shall he done in hi{>;ht ,
And, as fast as I may dijjhte ,
I will doe the honoure.
And to the oiler saeryfice ,
Therefore eoiues in all m ise ,
For of these bcastes thai hene hise
Offer I will this slower.
[Time pifi-rilirus nrchii cum tola f'ltiuilia sun nrrifiirt
animitlia sua tl lolurri'; . el ii/J'trit ra vl
maclahil. |
Lord God , in uiajesly ,
That such |>race has {rraunted lue ,
AVhcn all was home safe to Ix' ,
Therefore now I am houne.
3Iy wife, my childer , my meanyc ,
AVith saeryfice to honour the
AVith heastes , fowles . as thou may se ,
I offer here rijfht sone.
I^fl MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Dens.
Xoe , lo uic lUoii ai'lc full able.
And lliy saeryfiee acceptable ,
For I have found the true and stable.
On the now must I myn.
AVarry earth will I no more ,
That manns synne y* }>Teves sore ,
For of youth manfull yore
Has l)yn enclyned to synne.
You shall now grow and multeply,
And earth you edefie :
Each beast and fowle y*may flie
Shall be afrayd for yow.
And fishe in sea y* may flytte .^
Shall susteyne yow — I yow behite:
To eate of them yow ne lett
That clcanc bene you may hnowe.
There as yow Ii;ive eaten before
Grassc and rootes , sith you were bore.
Of cleano beastes , les and more ,
I jjeve you leave to eate.
Safe bloode and fishe bothe in feare
Of wroujj dead earren that is here,
Eales not of that in no mauere ,
For that aye yo»i shall lett.
Manslau'jhter also yow shall flee.
For that is not pleasant to mee ,
That shedes bloode , he or shee ,
Ought where amonge manklnde.
That shedes bloode, his bloode shall be.
And vengenee bane, that men shall se;
Therefore now beware now all yee
You fall not in that synne.
And forwarde no^v with yow I make,
And all thy seede, for thy salie ,
TIIK DKMGi:.
or sucbc v('nj;eiuM' for lo sliikr ,
For now I havo my >vill.
IltTc I bt'bet tlio a hohcsl ,
Tliat man, ^v'(»man , I'owlo , nc ln'osfc,
Willi ualer, Avhilc the world*- shall last,
1 will iiu more* spill.
My howo l>etwt'no yo\v and me
III the lirmameut shall bee ,
By verey tokens, that you may se.
That sucli venyeiice shall cease.
That man, ue womau, shall ucver more
Be wasted by water, as is before.
But lor syaae, ibat j>revelli sore.
Therefore this venj|oncc was.
NVhere cloudes iii the welliiu bene.
That like bowe shall bo seiie,
lu tokennffc that my ^vrath or tene ,
Shold never this wroken bee.
The strinjfo is turned toward yow.
And toward me bend is the bowe.
That such weddcr shall lu'ver showe ,
And this behet I the.
My lilessinjye now I };eve the here.
To the, Noe, my servant dere.
For veng^ence sh.-ill no more appeare;
And now farewell, my darliny dcere!
m
MIRA<:i,K-PI.AYS.
ANTICHRIST.
's. rf
/inlicliristns.
li<} celso Ihroiio poli , pollens elarior sol*',
Ajje vos nionstrarc , doscendi vos judicare.
Reges ct prlucipcs sunt suhdili sub me venientes.
Sitis sapientes, vos semper in me eredentes,
Et faciam flentes gaudere atque dolentes.
Sie omnes jyentes gaudebunt in me sperantes.
Descendo presens rex pius et perlustrator;
Princcps eternus vocor , Christus vester salvator.
All lordes in lande now belightc
That will be ruled tliroughout the righte ,
Your savyour noAv , in your sighte ,
Here may you safely see.
Messias, Cbriste, and most of mighte.
That in the law was you beheight.
All mankynde to joye , to dighte ,
Is comen , for I am bee.
Of me w^is spoken , in prophesye
Of Moyses , David, and Esay;
I am he they call Messy,
Forebyer of Israeli.
Those that leeven on me steadfastly
I shall them save from anoy;
And joy, righte as have I,
AV*'' them I think to deal.
But one hath liggcd me here in lande,
Jesu he bight, I understande ;
To further falsehood he cane founde ,
And farde with fautayse.
His wikednes he woulde not wounde.
Tell he was taken and put in bande.
A>Tir,nRi.sr. 17
Aiul sl.-iyiu' llirouglie vortuo of my soundc ;
This is solli soekerly.
My |)coi)le of Jc« OS he fouhl Iwayiie ,
That Uiere lantle caiiif the never iti ;
Then one them now must I myne.
And restore them agayne.
To huylde tkis temple will I not hlyne.
As God honoured be therein:
And eudlesse wayle 1 shall them A\^ne ,
All that to me bene bayne.
One Ihinge me glades , be you boulde ,
As Danyell the prophett before me tolde.
All women in worlde me love shoulde.
And there fayrenes to founde.
What say you kings, that here bene lente?
Are not my wordes at your assente?
That I am Christe omnipotenle,
Leeve you not this eieh one ?
Primus Rex.
We leeven , Lorde , without lei ,
That Christe is not eomen yet ;
Yf thou be he , thou shal be set
In temple as God alone.
Secundus Rex.
Yf thou be Christe, ealled Messy,
That from our bale shall us lye ,
Doe before us , masterye ,
A signe that we may see.
Tercins Rex.
Then will I leeve that it is see,
Yf thou doe wounders or thou groe ;
Soe that thou save us from wo ,
Then honoured shalte thou be.
Quartus Rex.
Houle have we leeved many a yeai'e ,
And of our weyninge many a weare ;
2
m
And thou be Christe iiowe comeii here ,
Then maye thou stynte all stryfie.
Antichristus.
That I am Christe , and Christe will be ,
By verye signes you shall see;
For dead men through my postee
Shall rise from death to life.
Now will I torne all, through my mighte ,
Trees downe , the rootes uprighte j
That is marwayl to your sighte ,
That frute growing upon.
Soe shall the groe and multeplye.
Through my mighte and my masterye ;
I put you out of heresye ,
Ty leeve me upon.
And bodyes that bene dead and slayue ,
Yf I maye rayse them up agayne ,
Then honour me with mighte and mayne ,
Then shall no man you greeve.
Forsoth, then, after will I dye.
And rise agayne , throughe my postee j
Yf I maye doe this marveloiisly ,
I red ye one me leeve.
Men bm-yed in graves you maye see.
What mastery, is now hope ye
To rayse them up , throughe my postee ,
And all throughe myne aecorde.
Whether I in my godhead be
By very signes you shall see :
Rise up, dead men, and honour me.
And know me for your Lorde.
[^Ilerc the dead rise from their graves.^
Primus Morhms.
O lorde , to the I aske mercye !
I was dead but nowe live:
\Miciimsr. 19
iNow woU I well .'iiui \\ill('rl> .
Tll.lt C.luisU' is lu'tluT i'OIIH'.
Secu )i dits Movt It lis.
Hjiu lioiinur wr ;iiiil .ill men .
Devoiill> liiMM'liiijjc (>ii«> our ken;
WorsliipptMl he llum ihorc , .-iincii!
Cliiisl our name is eomen.
^iutlchi'istus.
Thai I shall fulfill wholly MryfUn,
\o\i shall >vott anil knowe well il;
For I am wall, weale, and wytt,
And lorde of every lande.
And as the prophet , Sophany ,
Speaketh of me, full A\itlerly.
I shall rehearse readely ,
That clearke shall understaude.
Now will I die that you shall see ,
And rise ajjayne, through my postee;
I will in jjrave that you put uie ,
And worshipp me alone.
For in this temple a lonilte is matle ,
There in my hodye sliaihe layde j
Then will 1 rise as I have sayde ;
Take teene to me eieh one.
And after my resurreeeion ,
Then \>ill I sil in j;reate renomie ,
And uij j|hosl send to yon downe
In forme of fier , full sone.
I d>el I dye I now anie 1 dead.
Pvlintis /(f.v.
>io\\ . seylh this worthy lorde is dead.
And his jj-rave is «"' us leade ,
To tidie his hodye , il is my read ,
And l»iir\ i( in a (jrave.
■VlIR\Cr.E-VT,AYS,
Sectindus Rex.
For sotli, and soe to us he sayde,
la a tombo he woulde he layde;
Now goe we forth all in ahreade.
From disease he maye us save.
[Then theij pass over to Anlichrist.^
Tevcins Rex.
Take we the hodye of this sweete,
And bury it low under the greete ;
Now lorde comforte iis ! we the heseeke !
And sende us of thy grace.
Quartus Rex.
And yf he rise sone throughe his mighte.
From death to life , as he heheighte ,
Hym will I honour daye and nighte.
As God in every place.
[They tioni aseeud from l/ie lomb to the surface of
the cnyih.^
Primus Rex.
Now wott I well that he is dead,
For now in grave we have him layde j
Yf he rise , as he hath sayde ,
He is full of great mighte.
Secitndns Rex.
I cannot leevc hym upon.
But yf he rise hym selfe alone.
As he hath sayde to many one.
And shew hym here in sighte.
Tercins Rex.
Tell that my savyour he risen agayne.
In fayth my harte maye not be fayne ,
Tell I hym see with joye.
Quartus Rex.
I must mourne with all my mayne.
Tell Christe be risen up agayne ;
\MKIII11ST. '21
Ami (il tli;il iiiirtMcklf iiiiikc ii> ('<'i|;ii<'.
Hi>st' u|> . Ionic, tli.il wo may sri* !
(//<■,<• tulir/nisl ri.us /ron, t/,r ,l.uil.\
.liilii/in'slits.
I list', iiou r<'>«T«Mic(' «lo«' lo inc.
Ciinl }floi*viy«'«l crcalcd u\' «l«'j;r«T .
Vt' 1 he Chiislf, ii(»\v leave ><m lur
And \\<trlie aller my \\>se.
Primus Hex.
O loiile. welcome maysl (lioii Im"I
riial llum art yoo<l now leevc ne;
rin'relore {joe sil up in thy see.
And keep oiu- saeryliee.
[Ucrc they i/o over to .tutic/iii^l . initt uirnlicr lu
hi,,,.]'
St'CllllfiuS lil'.X.
Tor ><)(li III >cal llioii shallc lie sel ,
And lionoiircd willi laiidc jjreate ,
As .>l»»\.scs law llial lastelh yel ,
As lie liadi sayde helore.
Tvveiits Hex.
j;racious lorde ! jjoc silii dn\Mic llien.
And we shall kneel upon our Ken
And uorshippe the, as thyne ow iie men.
And workc aller Ihy lorde.
[llrrc .tulichrlsl asvnuls l/ir l/,,o>i,-.\
ihiartits Ilex.
Ilcllicr \v c Itc eomen, w'liU {;<toil inlcnlc.
To make our saei->niec. Inrdc txclcnlcl
With (his hnnhc that I Ii.inc Ik re hcnic,
Klicclill;;c the hcf'nic.
yintirhvi.itiis.
1 Loi-dc. I God, I Ilij;h .liisllce.
I Cluiste that made the dead lo rise:
llcic I receive your s-»cryfl"icc .
An<l Idcssc ^<.M jlcslir ;.Md Icli.
22 MIKACI.E- PLAYS.
I will now scnde my Holy Ghost,
You kinjyes also you I tell
To kuowc me love , of mig-hte most
Of heaven , earth and hell.
[Here his (/host desretids.]
Sevevales Reges.
A God , a Lorde , miekle of mighte ,
This Holy Ghost is in us pighte ;
Me thinkes my haste is very lighte
Seth it came into me.
Primus Rex.
Lorde, we thee honour day and nijjht ,
For thou shewest us in sighte ,
Right as Moyses us heheig-hte,
Honoured must thou he.
^intichristiis.
Yet worthy workes , to your will ,
Of phrophesye I shall fulfill ,
As Danyell phrophesyed untill
That landes should devyse.
You kinges I shall advaunce you all.
And hecause your regions he but small ,
Cities , castells , shall you befall ,
With townes and towers gaye.
And the gyftes I shal beheight
You shall have, as is good righte,
Hense ere I goe out of your sighte ,
Eich one shall knoue his dole.
To the I gyve Lomberdy ;
And to the Demarke and Hongarye ;
And take thou Pontus and Italy;
And Rome it shal be thyne.
Secimdns Rex.
Grante mercye , Lorde , your gyfts to daye ,
Honour we will the alwaye ;
AN I IMIIIIST.
For ^\«' >M'r«' ui'vt'r so ri<'lit'. in r;i>r,
.\<U' noil of .'ill our \i\ nr.
, iiific/irt'sfus.
riu'rfforr . !»<• Iruc and sli'adl'asl a>«-.
And Iriu'ly lo<'\«'s on ni> \n\\ .
For I ^vill barken one >oii lo daye,
StydtasI yl" you 1 Cynde.
Knocke.
All inlj;lilv God. in niajesty ,
Thai niailc tli«' hoaM'ii and earth lo lie.
Fier, ^\aler, stonne. and tree.
And man throu}«ii th> inijjhte.
The poyntes of lliy privily ,
Any earthly man lo see.
Is impossilth', as thinkes me.
Or any ^vorldly ^vij>hle.
Graeious Lorde , thai art soe good.
That uho soe lon{|e in lleshe and blonde.
Hath granted life and heavenly food.
Let never our thought be defiled.
But geve us, Lorde, mighle and niayue.
Or Avee of this shrew be slayne .
To eonverte thy peojde agavne ,
That he hath thus defiled.
Synee first the worlde begane ,
'I'liroiigh helpe of higdi heavenly Kinge,
I liaM' lived in jp-oete likeinge
In Parradi/ w"' out anoye.
Tell we harde takeinge
Of this theetles eoininge ,
That now on earth is reigningc.
Ami doth Godes I'olkes desLi'oye.
To Parradi/. taken I was that tyde ,
This lliefes eouiinge to abyde.
And Hely in> brolber here li\ smIi-
Was ;,rirr s.iilc lo me.
24 MIWACLE - PLAYS.
With this champion we must chitle ,
That now in worlde walketh wytle,
To disprove his pompe and pride.
And payer all his postee.
Ilelyas.
Lorde, that madest all thin{>e.
And longe hath lente vis livinjje,
Let never the devills power springe ,
That man hath hym with in.
God g:yve you grace, boiith oiilde and yonnjye.
To know deceate in his doinge ,
That you may come to that likeinge
Of hlys that never shal blyne.
1 warne you all men, witterly,
This is Enocke , I am Hely ,
Bene comen his errours to destroy.
That he to you now shewes.
He calles hym self Christe and Messi,
He lyes, for soth, apertely;
He is the Devill , you to anoye.
And for non other hym knowe.
Primus Rex.
Amen, what speake ye of Hely
And Enocke, the bene bouth in comjiany.
Of our bloude the bene witterly,
And we bene of their kyne.
Qnartus Rex.
We readen in bookes of our law.
And they to heaven were drawe.
And yet bene there is the common sawe ,
W^rytten as men in aye fyude,
Enocke.
We bene those men , for soth , I wrys ,
Comen to tell you doe amysse ,
And bringe your soules to heaven blisse,
Yf y* were any boote.
\i>TIOIIRISr. ilo
lli-hias.
This (lovilK's lynit' that conieii is.
That saylh IioaviMi and earth is his;
]\owe \\Q he roadv , Icevo v<»u Ihis,
Ag-aynst hyiu for to inolf.
I*rinnts Hex.
Yf that we here A\ytt moiie
By proflcs of dispntaeion
That you have skill and reason ,
With you ^yc will ahyde.
Secundus Rex.
Yf your skills may doe hyin downe ,
To dye with you we will be bouue.
In hope of salvacion ,
"Whatsoever hetyde.
Enocke.
To doc hjm downe we shall assaye
Throug'h mig-htc of Jesee , borne of a maye.
By rijjfhte and reason , as you shall say ,
And that shall well here.
And for that eause helher we be sente
By Jesu Christe , onuiipotente ,
And that you shall not albe shente ,
He bou{fht you all full deare.
Be {flade therefore and make jj-ood eheare, —
And I doe reade as I doe leare , —
For we be comen in jyood manncrc,
To save you every one.
And dreade you not for that false feyndc ;
For you shall see hym cast behynde.
Or we deparlc, or from hyui A\'ynde,
And shame shall lijjht hym one.
[ Here Enoch aud Elijah shall pass over (o .Iniichrist.]
Saye, thou verye devilles lyme.
Thai sills soc ;;rysely and so };ryme .
26 MIRACLE -PLA vs.
From hym thou eauie and shall lo hyui.
For many a soule thou deceives.
Thou haste deceived men many a daye
And made the people to thy paye ,
And hewiehed them into a vt^ronge waye
Wickedly w'^' thy wyles.
Jintichristus.
False features from me you fley !
Ame not I most in majesty?
What men dare name them thus to me ,
Or make such distaunce?
Ilehjas.
Fye one the feature! fye one thee!
The devilles oavuc nurry!
Through hym thou preachest and haste posty
A while, through sufferauncc.
^intichristns.
O , ye ypocrytes that soe cryen !
Lossels loi'dens , soe lewdly lyen !
To spill my lawe , you spine!
That speach is good to spare.
You that my true fayth defyne !
And needles my folke deiryne.
From hcnse hastcSy you hyne !
To you comes sorrowe and care.
Enocke.
Thy sorrowe and care come one thy head !
For falsely, through thy wicked read.
Thy people is put to payne.
I woulde thy hody were Irom thy head
Twenty myles fi-om it lead ,
Tell I hrought yt againe.
Antichristus.
But I shall leach you curlcseyc.
Your sairjoiir iu liuowc antni in h\<'!
A.MU:IIKIST.
False thettVs , ^\"' >onr li«n-t's>e.
And yf" }nii (l:irf ;il»y»lf —
IffhjflS.
Ves . t'm- solli , for all ihy pruli' ,
Through {jiaoe of Gotl all iiiybl.
Hero we porpose for to abyde :
And all the worlde that is soe wyde
Shall Avouuder one the one every syde,
Sone in all mens si<;hle.
.infh'Jiris/us.
Out one you theellesl houlh two ,
Eieh man maye see you he soe ,
Alhy your array e ,
Muflled in mantles non sueh I know,
I shall make you lowte full lowe ,
Or I departe yon free.
To know rae Lorde for aye.
Knocke.
We be no theefles we the tell ,
Thou false feynde , conien from hell !
AVith thee we porpose for (o niell .
My fellowc and I, in feare.
To knowe thy pou er and thy mijjhte ,
As we these kinjyes , have be height ,
And there to ^ye be ready dijfhte ,
That all men nowe maye heare.
^■iutkhristtts.
My mighte is moste I leli In (hcc,
I died, T rose, throuj^h my ])oslee.
Thai all these kiiifjes saw uilli tlieyr eye
And every man and ^vilf.
And myrraekles and mar\eyh's. I did.
I eonsell you therefore boiilh Iwo
To worshipp me. and no nmi- .
And \y{ us none no moie stryve.
27
MIRACLE-PLA\S.
Helyas.
Thoy were no myrrackles, hut maweless thiu{»-5
That thou showest unto these kinjjs ,
Throuj}h thy feyudes crafle.
Anil as the lloAver no^v spring's
Fayleth fayth and hein{»s
So thy joye it rei^jnes
That shalbe frome the rafle.
^intichristns.
Out one the theefle that sltls soe still!
\>liy wylt thou not speahe them (ill.
Docter.
lorde master, what shall I say then?
Antichristns.
1 heshcw both thy ....
Arte thou nowe for to kene,
I fayth, I shall the greeve.
Of my Godhead I made thee wise ,
And set the ever at miekle priee,
Now I woukle feele thy good advise,
And heare what thou woulde saye.
These losells they woukle me greeve,
And nothiiige one me they wille leeve.
But ever he ready me to reprove.
And all the people of my la^v.
Docter.
O Lorde thou arte soe miekle of mighte.
Me thinke thou should mey chide no feight;
But curse them all, through thy mighte.
Then shal they fare full yll.
For those thou blesses they shall well speed ,
And those thou curses they are but dead ;
This is my consell and my read
Wnder herelykes for lo sj>ill.
ANTiriinisi. 'it>
.intitlirisliis.
The same I lutrposeil . loevo llion lo inc ,
All thinj|OS 1 kIlo^\ ihruuyli iu\ poslcc,
Bui y<'l Ihy >vvlt I thought to s«'
What Mas thj iulenle.
Yt shall douuc, rig;ht ^vilterl> ,
The sentence geven full o|)eul\
With my mouth truely
I'pon them shal he benle.
My curse I }'eve you lo amende
Your meales.
From your heade uulo your heeles,
AYalke you f'ortii , in twenty devills waj I
Yea thou shall ne\er eome iuelysse,
For falsely uilh thy ^^yles,
The people is put in payne.
Antkhristtis.
Out one you iheelles ! >vhy fare you ihis?
AYIiether had you rather have paine or Ides ,
I mayc you save from all amysse.
I made the daye and eke the nig^hte.
And all thinges that is one earth growinge;
Flowers freshe that fayer can spring'c :
Also I made all other thiug-e —
The starres that he so hrighle.
11,'hias.
Thou lyest I ^eng•enee one fhee fall!
Out one thee, wretch! wroth thee I shall!
Thou callest thee king^'e and Ionic <d" all!
A feeyTide is the wifhin I
Antichrist us.
Thou ly.st falsely, I thee tell!
Thou wyll he damned iut(» hell.
I ma«le the man of fleshe and lei I ,
And all dial is lyveinge.
50 MIUACLi: - PI.AYS.
For other {foiles have you nowe,
Therefore worshippe me alone,
The w"='' hath made the water and stone ,
And all at my lyheing".
Enocke.
For soth, thou lyest falsely;
Thou art a feynde comen to anoye
Godes people that standeth us hy.
In hell 1 woulde thou were!
Hchjas.
Fye on the felloAv! fye on tlie ! Fye;
For all thy wieherafte and soreerye!
To mote with the I am readye.
That all this people maye here.
^ntichristus.
Out one you harlotls ! iivhense come ye ?
Where have you any other jjod but me?
Enocke.
Yes Christe, God in Trenity,
Thou false feature attaynte —
That sent his sonne from heaven see,
That for manhynde dyed one roode tree ,
That shall sone make the to flee ,
Thou feature false and faynte!
Antichrist as.
Ryhhaldes ruled out of raye!
What is the Trenely for to saye?
Ilelyas.
Thre ])ersonesas thou leeve maye
In one Godhead in free.
Father and Sonne , that is no ney ,
And the Holy Ghost, styrringe aye.
That is one God verey ,
Bene all thre named here.
V> I l« IIUISI.
Anlichvisliis.
Out one you lliet'lh's! what s;«yon ye<*?
AVill yo have ono (io»l ami 'I'lirt' ?
\h\\\ (laro you soe sayo ?
MaduKMi tluTt'l'oro lei'vi' one mt'
Thai am one God, soe is not hee.
Then uiaye you live in joye and lee ,
All this lande I dare laye.
l:Lnocke.
INey tyranle, understand thou this
AVilhout heyyninge his Godhead is.
And also without endinge is ,
Thus fully leeven we.
And thou that ingendered was aniysse.
Haste hej[yiiinj;e and noro this hiiss ,
An ende shall have, no dreade there is.
Full Ibwle as men shall se.
ylntichristits.
AVreehes jjowles, you he hlente!
Gode Sonne I am , I'rom hym sente !
How dare you uiayuteyue youi- inlente,
Seith he and I he one?
Have I not synee I eame hym (roe,
Ma»le the dead to rise and {joe,
And to men I sent my {jhoste alsoe
That leeved nie upon.
I/eli/as.
Fye one the, fellow! fye one the! fye !
For throu{fh his mi[rhtc and his nias(r> .
By sufteraunee of God Almighty ,
The people is hlente through the.
Yf those men he raysed witterly,
AA'ithout the devills fantasye ,
Here shalhe |)rovyd perfectly ,
Thai all m.Mi shall s,-.
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
^ntichristus.
A t'oolos 1 rod you leeve lue upon ,
To the people every eich one,
To put tliein out of doubte.
TliereCore I red you hastely ,
(converted to me mosl mijjhtely , —
I sliall you save from auoye ,
And that I ame aboute. - ' '
Enocke.
IVow of thy myrraeliles woulde I se.
Helyas.
Therefore eomen hcther l>ene we.
Doe what is thy jjreat poslee ,
And sone thereof to leeve.
Antichrist tis.
Sone maye you se, yf you will ahyde.
For I Avill neither fei{yht uey ehide;
Of all the worlde that is soe Avyde
Therein is not my peaee.
Enocke.
Brin{>e forth these men here in our sighte
That thou hasi raysed agaynst the rifj-hte,
Yf thou he soe miehlc of mijjhte
To make them eate and driidie.
For very f>«)d we will the knoAve,
Sueh a signe if thou wylt show .,
And doe thee reverenee one a row.
All at thy lykeiujie.
^hitichristiis.
^Vreehes dampned al he yee ,
But nought for that it fallcth me.
As gracious God ahydiuge he,
Yf you will mcnde your life.
You dead men rise, through my postee;
TiOme eate and <lriuke that men maye se ,
ANTir.iinisr.
And provo iiu- ^vortliy of dyoty,
Soo shal we slynt<' al slryllV.
I'riiniis .}ior(iiiis.
L<>r»l«', Ihy hytliiij'O I >vill ilt»e aye.
And lor to oale I nill assay o.
Seciindus Mortnus.
And I Avill al that I maye ,
Will doe thy l)ydin}j^e here.
Ilehjas.
Have here hread houlh two.
But I must hlesse yl or I yoe,
Tliat the feynde, nianhyndes foe.
One yt have no pouer.
This bread I l)lessc with my hande.
In Jesus nnmc, I iinderstande
The wh*^'' is lorde of sea and lande ,
And kinge in heaven soe hye.
In unmina Patvis, that all hath wTOU{fht, —
Et Filii I'injim's, that deare us houj-ht , —
f'Jt Sftt'ritifs Sducti , is all my thouj;ht, —
One God and persons llire.
Pn'mtis Morttms.
Alas! put that hrcade out of my si};hle.
To loke one yt I ame not lij;hte ;
That printe that is upon yt pi<>hte ,
That putts me to {jreate feare.
Secimdtis MdvIuks.
To loke one yt I ame not li);lite ,
That bread to me it is soe brijjhte .
And is my f«»e hotilh daye and ni-jlite.
And pulls me lo jjrcale drc.tde.
E)i(>ik('.
Xoue , you m<'n (hat halli done amysse ,
You see well what his power is,
Convertes to hym I re«l , I wys
Th;.t % .<• rood halli l..H.j;hl.>.
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Tercius Rex.
Ami iiowe we know appcartely
We Lave Leue broiighte in hei'esye,
W* you to death we will for tliy,
And never more torne our thouglite.
Qiawtus Rex.
IVowe, Enocke and Hely, yt is no ney,
You have taunted the tyrrant this same daye.
Blessed he Jesu, home of a maye.
One hym I leeve upon.
Primus Rex.
Thou feature fere w^^ fantasye ,
W"' sorceryc, wicherafte and nigrcmy
Thou hast us led in heresye,
Fye one thy workes eich one.
Secnndus Rex.
Jesu, for thy mickle giraee,
Forgeve us al our trespasse ,
And bring us to thy heavenly place.
As Ihou art God and man.
Nowe ame I wise made through thy migfhte
Blessed he thou Jesu daye and nighte!
This greesly groome gfreetes hym to feighte.
To slea us here anon.
Teyciiis Rex.
Of our lyvcs let us not reach,
Though we he slayne of such a wrech,
For Jesu his sake that maye us leech.
Our soules to hringe to hlisse.
Qnartiis Rex.
That was well saydc, and soe I assente
To dye, for soth is my intente,
For Christes sake, omnipotenle,
Tn cause that is riglite wise.
ANTICHRIST. 5u
^inticlivistns.
A falso Coatiiros torne you nowe!
Vou shalhe slayiio, 1 make a vowo ;
And tliosc traytors that soc tiinu'tl you,
I shall make llicm uufeayiu'.
That all other hy very sijjhte
Shall kuowe that 1 aiiic most of iuij;hto ;
For n''' this sworilc iioue >vill I IVijjhtc ,
For al you shalhe slaj ue.
[/#(•»■<• .iniichristns hills j/it-m.]
Michadl.
Auliehristus no^ve is coiuen this daye ,
l\«M;jao no louj;er thou iiey luaye ,
He that hath led thee alhvaye ,
]>OAVC hyiu thou must [;oe to,
Xo more meu shalhe slayue hy the ,
My Lorde «'ill dead that thou he,
He that yyveu the this postce
Thy soule shall under soe.
Ill synne inyendered fyrst thou Mas;
In synac leade thy life thou hast;
In synne nowe an ende thou made ,
That marred hath many one.
Thre yeares and halfe one, bitterly,
Thou hast had leeve to destroye
Godes people wickedly ,
Throujjh thy fowie read.
\oMe Ihou sliall kno\\<' ami will, in hy ,
That mor«' is Godes majesly .
Than eke the devills an. I ll.Nn.- Iherrhy,
For nowe thou shall he dead.
Thou hast ever served Sathanas,
And had his power in every place;
5*
o({ MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Therefore lliou getts no other jjrace ,
With hym thou must gone.
[Here MicJmcll shall kill ^ntichristiis , mul Anli
ehrislus shall call alond , Help! help! help!]
Antichristiis.
Heipe , Sathanas and Lueifl
uciuier :
Belzalml>l} , l>olde Balacheire !
Uagnell, Ragnell , thou art my dcare !
IXowe face I wounder evill.
Alas ! alas ! where is my power ?
Alas ! my wittes is in a were !
IVowe Lodye and soule houth in feare ,
And all goeth to the devill.
[Were Anlichristus shall die, and Iwo devils shull
eome.\
Primus Demon.
Anon, master, anon, anon!
From hell groundc I harde the grone.
I thought not to eome my selfe alone,
For worshippe of thyne estate.
With us to hell thou shalhe gone ,
For thy death y\c make grcate mone ,
To wyne more soules into our pond,
But now y* is too late.
Secitndiis Demon.
With me thou shalhe, from me thou come,
Of me shall eome thy last dome ,
For thou hast well deserved;
And, through my mighte and my postee ,
Thou hast lived in dignitye ,
And many a soule deceived.
Primus Demon.
This hodye Avas gotten hy myne assente
In eSeane hordome , verament ,
or mother womhe or that he weute,
I was hym w"' in.
\Mi»iiuisr. .»/
And l.'iiijjiilc liNii) .'INC, >\itli iii> lie ifilriitr,
S>iiiu' l»> «'■'' ho sliallu' sliciilr;
For lie ilid iiiy <'oiiiiii.-iii«lt>iiu>iiU*,
His soiiN' sliall lU'M'V I)Imi('.
Stri(itt/iis Demon.
XoMC rclloNV. Ill ('.•lylh, jyrcalc inoiic \> c iiia\c mal.c.
Fur this lurde uf estate tliat slaiidi-lli us iuslrad ^
Many a lalt morsell we had for his sai.e
Of soiilcs that have bene saved in hell 1»\ (lie head
[llcrc the divils earn/ .(iilii'/u i\li(s <niiirii.\
Knockc.
A Lordc thai al shall leade.
And huiilh deemc tlie (itiicke and dead ;
That reverence ihe thou one them read.
And ihein tlu-(ui};li rijjhlc releeved.
I was dead and rijjhte tere slayn*'.
But throiijfh thy niiyhte , Lorde , and ihy inayiie.
Thou hast nie raysed uj) ajjaine.
Thee \\\\\ I love and leeve.
Helyas.
A'ea , Lorde, Idessed must thou Im* ;
My fleslie {jlorylVyed now I sc ;
Will ncy sleij|hl aiyainsle (lie
(>ous|»ired may he liy no wav.
Al llial lcc\c ill Hie.- slcdlaslly
Thou hel|>es, Lorde, from al auoy<';
l"«u- clcatl I Mas and nowe ly\e I;
lloiioiii-cd he thou aye!
Mirluidl.
Euoche and Hely eome you aiioii ;
My Lorde will that mhi with me j;oue
To h(>aven hiissc, houth hloude and hone.
Ever more there to he.
58 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
You have bene lange , for you bene wise ,
Dwellhifje in earthly parradize ,
But to heaven where hym selfe is,
]\owe shall you g:oe with me.
[Ilcre lite Avchauficl shall lead them lo heaven , and shall
siuy iGaudcie.']
»
Finis — Deo Gracias !
COVE>TftY
MIRACLE- I» L A 1 S.
JOSEPHS JEALOrSV.
Jost'jth.
How (Lime, howl vndo your dor! viulo !
Ar ye at hoiu ? why spoko yo nolht ?
St(S(ui}iah.
Who is iher V \\\\\ cry j «■ so?
Telle us your her.-iml: ^\>1 >e ouj;hl?
Joscpli.
Vntlo yo^vr dor I I sey yo^v to ,
For to com in is all my thoujjhl.
Mary.
It is my spowse, that spekylh us to,
Oiido the dor, his wyl ^vere wroujjht.
Well come home, my hushond derl
How have you ferd , in fer counlre ?
Joseph.
To {jete our levynffe, with owtyii dwere ,
I have sore laboryd , for the and me.
Hiishoiul. i\;;|jl iiiaoouslv . now .•oinc lie >c;
iJ sola<\lli mc sore, solhly. lo sc \o\\ in s\lli
42 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Joseph.
Me inei'vcylylli, wyll"! surely your face I can not sc,
Bui as the sonne «illi his hoiuys in I he is most
hryth.
Ilusbond, it is, as it plesyth our Lord, that grace
of hy grew.
Who that evyr hehohlylh me, veryly ,
They schal be gretlly sterytl to verlu;
For this gyfte, ami many moo, good lord gra-
mercy !
Joseph.
How hast thou ferde, jentyl mayde,
Whyl I have hen out of londe?
Mtwy.
Sekyr, ser; beth nowth dysmaydc,
Byth aftyr the wyl of Goddys sonde.
Joseph.
That semylh evyl , I am afrayd;
Tlu wombe to hyge doth slonde ;
I drede me sore I am l>etrayd.
Sum other man the had in honde.
Hens , sythe , that I -tvent.
Thy wombe is g'ret, it g^ynnyth to ryse.
Than has thou l)ogOAvnne a synnfull gyse.
Thy self thou art thus schcnt.
Now, dame, what thingc menyth Ihis?
With childe thou gynuyst ryth gret to gon;
Sey me, Mary, this ehildys fadyr who is?
I pray the telle me , and that anon ?
3fnry.
The fadyr of hovyn, and se, it is,
Other fadyr hath he non :
I dede nevyr forl'ete with man , I wys ,
Wherefore, I pray yow, amende yowr mon:
This childe is Goddys , and yours.
Joseph's jealousy. 45
Joseph.
Goddys childe ! thou lyist , in faye ,
God dede nevyr rape so ^vlth maye.
But yit I say, Mary, avIioos childe is this?
Mary.
Goddys and yours, I sey , I ^vys.
Joseph.
Ya , ya ! all olde men , to me take tent ,
And weddyth no M^ff, in no kynnys ^vyse ,
That is a yon}}e weneh, be my asent ,
For doute and drede and s>vych scrvysc.
Alas ! Alas ! my name is shent :
All men may me now dyspyse.
And seyn olde cokwold! thi bowe is bent
Newly now , after the frensche gyse.
Alas, and welaway !
Alas , dame ! why dedyst thou so ?
For this synne, that thou hast do,
I the forsake , and from the go ,
For onys evyr, and dy.
Mmnf.
Alas gfode spowse! why sey ye thus?
Alas dere hoshuud amende yoiu' mod!
It is no man, but swete Jhus ,
He ^vyll be clad in flesch and blood.
And of your wyff be boi-n.
Sapliov.
For sothe the Angel thus seyd he ,
That Goddys sone , in trynite ,
For mannys sake, a man wolde be,
To save that is forlorn.
Joseph.
An Angel ! alias , alas ! fy for schame !
Ye syn now , in that yc do say j
To [uittyu an Anj'el in so jfret hlamc.
Alas, alas! let I)e tic way;
It was Slim boy hegan tliis game ,
That clothyd was elene and gay ,
And ye geve liym now an Angel name.
Alas , alas ! and welaway ,
That evyr this game be tydde !
A dame ! what thought haddyst thou ?
Her may all men this proverbe trow ,
That many a man doth bete the bow ,
Another man hath the brydde.
Mar;/.
A gracyous God! in helne tronc ! ....;..
Comfbrte my spowse in Ihis hard cas ;
Mereyl'ul God amend his mone ,
As I dede nevyr so gret trespas.
Joseph.
Lo , lo , sers ! what told I yow ,
That it was not for my prow,
A "*vyff to take me to ,
And that is wel sene now ;
For Mary , I make God a vow ,
Is grett with childe , lo!
Alas ! why is it so ?
To the busshop I wole it telle ,
That he the lawe may here do ,
"With stonys her to qwelle.
Nay , nay , yet God forbede !
That I shuld do that veugeabyl dede.
But if I wyst, welaway!
I knew nevyr with her , so God me spede .
To ky of thyngc , in word nor dede,
That lowchyd velany.
\evyr the less wiiat for thy,
Thovv she be nieke and mylde .
j«)si:rii s jKAr,«us\.
/iiS
AVilli owtli iiiaiiiiys (>uiii|i,-my ,
She niyjjlit iiol he with ohiUle.
But I oiisui-e im- >v;is il lu'vyr :
Thou yet she hath not iloiie her devyr.
Rather than 1 shuld pleyny opynly,
Certcynly, yett, had I levyr
Forsake the countre for evyr ,
And nevyr come in her company.
For, and men knew this velany ,
In reprolV thei wolde me liolde ,
And y«'lt many heltyr than I,
Ya! hath lien made cokolde.
Now, alas I whedyr schal I {jone?
I wot nevyr whedyr, nor to what place;
For often tyme sorrowe comytli sone ,
And lon}>e it is or it pace.
Xo comfort may I have here.
I wys, wjil", thou dedyst me wronoe ,
Alas I taryed from the to longe ,
All men have pety enime among^e ,
For to my sorrowe is no cher.
JIanj.
Ciod! that in my hody art sesyd ,
Thou knowist my Imshond is dysplesyd.
To se me in tliis plij;ht;
For unknowlajje he is desesyd ,
And therfor help that he were esyd.
That he myjjht knowe the ful prol^j;!!!;
For I have levyr ahyde respyt ,
To kepe thi sone in priuile,
Graunted hy the holy spyrj t ,
Thau tiiat it sliulde l)e npyn.-.l l»y ine.
God a|)|)ears uiul Inslriicls an Anjji'l to dcsirr
Joseph Mill ahitlc \\illi 3Iai y , slie bcinj* prcjyiiani
by God hiinscir.
46 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Ancjcl.
Joscpli! Joseph! thou wepyst shyrle.
From thi wyff why coinyst thou owte?
Joseph.
Good scr! letc me wepe my fyle;
Go forthe that wey , and lelt me nowfjht.
The ^M</e/ requests liim to return and cheer her: —
Sche is a ful cleue maye ,
I tolle ye God wyl of her he horn ,
And sche clene mayd as she was heforn ,
To save mankyud that is forlorn ;
Go chere her, therefor, I say.
Joseph.
A! Lord God! henedieite!
Of thi gret comforte I thank the.
That thou sent me this spaee ;
I myght wel a wyst parde,
So jiood a creature as sche ,
Wold nevyr a done ti'espaee
Joseph then returns to Mary, and under a feeling'
of repentance and delight, says,
Alas! for joy, 1 qwedyr and cpvake!
Alas! what hap now was this!
A mercy ! mercy ! my jentyl make , • .
Mercy! 1 have seyd al amys;
^ All that I have seyd her I forsake,
Your swete fete now let me kys.
Mar I).
Nay lett he; my fete not thou them take;
My mowth ye may kys, I wys,
And welcome on to me.
Joseph.
Gramcrcy! my OAvyn swete wyff!
Gramcrcy! myn hert! my love! my lyff!
josErn's jEAi.orsY. 47
Schal I no^-J^• more inak suclio slrylV,
Bt'h\yx ine and the!
He tells her he is conviiieed: —
Ilatl thou not l>eii a vortnoiis ^vylV.
God wold not a bon the Avilli inno.
Joseph assures 3Iary that hereafter he will serve
her, and worship the ehihl; yet he expresses cu-
riosity : —
And thorefor telle me , and nothynjjc withhoulde,
The holy matter of your eoneepcion.
Mary relates, that the Angel (iabricl greeted
her, and said,
God shulde he home of my hode,
The fendys powste for to felle,
Thoro^e the Holy Gost , as I >vell se:
Thns God, in me, wyl hyde and dwelle.
Joseph expresses salislaetion , thanks Ciod , is re-
eoneiled to 3Iary, and the perlbrmance concludes.
48 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
THE TRIAL OF MARY AND JOSEPH.
Primus Detractor.
A ! A ! serys , God save you all !
Here is a fayr pcpyl? in {}'00tl fay.
To reyse blawdyr is al my lay ,
Bakbyter is my brother of blood.
Dede be ought come hedyr in al this day ;
Now wolde God that he wer here.
And , be my trewth , I dare wel say ,
That, if Ave tweyn, togedyr apere,
Mor slaAvudyr we to schal arere,
Withiu an hoAvre , thorwe outh this town.
Than evyr iher was this thowsand yer.
And ellys 1 shrewe you, bothe vp and down.
Now , be my trcAvth , I have a syght ,
Euyn of my lu'olhcr, lo wher he is : —
Weleom , der brother ! my trowth I plyght ,
Yowr jentyl mowth let me now kys.
Secnndus Detractor.
Gramercy! brother, so have I blys ;
I am ful glad we met this day.
Primus Detractor.
Ryght so am I, brother, I wys ,
Moeh gladder than I kan say.
Rut yltL good brother, I yow pi'ay,
Telle, al these pepyl, what is yowr name:
For yf thei knew it, my lyf I lay,
Thei Avole yow wurchep, and spek gret fame.
Secundus Detractor.
I am bakbyter, that spyllyth all game,
Bolhe hyd and knowyn , in many a place.
MAHY A>U JOSEPH.
49
Primus- Dfti'tirfor.
Be luy troulli. I scmI I he s.iiiic ;
Ami \vi Miiu scmU-u IIhiu slmltlc li;i\r ovj 1 (jrace.
Srcutnliis Dctrticfnr.
Herk I revsc srlauiulvr : caiisl tliou o^vtli l«'lle
or any neue thynjjc that ^vroujjhl was late?
J'rimus Detractor.
W'itliiii a slutil<' ^^llyle a tliyii;;e hefVlle ,
1 lnn\o lliitii wvit lawj;li ryjjhtt wel thcrate ,
For, he trowlh , rvfjht luekyl hate,
It' it he >vyst, therof yy^\ growe.
SecHudiis Detractor.
li I may reyse ther with debate ,
I sehal not spare tlie seyd to sowe.
Primus Detractor.
Syr, in the teuipyl , a mayd ther Avas,
Calde mayd 3Iarj ; the Ireuth to tell,
Sche seruyd so holy, with inne that plas ,
Men seyd sehe was fedde with holy Anjj-ell ;
Sehe made a vow with man ne>'jr to melle ,
Bill to leve ehast, and elene virj;ine,
Howe>-jT it he, her womhe doth s^velle.
And is as jjret as tliyne or niyne.
They discourse lor some time iqjoii lliis news,
but in terms not hefiHinjy moderii ri'lirR'incnl.
The Bishop, Ahi/.aeiiar, ciilns with l\\<i Doclors
ot La>\. They hsleii lo part of the slaiuier, aiul
at hist llir Jii.shop says,
I eharjre you serys of your fals eiy .
For sehe is syhhe of my o^^-^n hloo«l.
Secuudiis Detractor.
Syh of thi kyn thow thai slw he.
All {rret with chylde Imp A\niiil»(' dotli sucllc;
Do calle her hedyr . flii sell' sehal se ,
That it is trewlln' lli.il I 1 1 telle.
4
•»0 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Primus Detractor.
Ser, for yowr sal;e, I sclial kepe cowncelk,
Yow for to grcve I am rygbt loth,
But list, syrs, lyst, what seyth the lielle ?
Our fayr rnayd now gret with chilile goth.
Principalis Doctor Legtim.
Make {jood heed, sers , what ye doth say,
Avyse yoAv w^ele what ye present ,
If this be fownde fals , anothyr day
Ful sore ye sehal yowr tale repent.
Sectmdus Detractor.
Ser, the rnayd, forsothe, is good, and gent,
Bolh comely, and gay, and a fayr wench;
And, feetly, with help, schc can consent,
To set a cokewolde on the hye henche.
Episcopus.
This verey talys my hert doth greve,
Of hir to here such fowle dalyawnce ,
If she be fowndyn in such repreve.
She schal sore rewe her govcrnawns.
Sijm Somnor , in hast av end thou thi way ,
Byd Joseph, and his wyff, be name
At the coorte to apper this day.
Here hem to pourge of her defame ;
Sey that I here of hem grett schame.
And that doth me gret hevynes ,
,., If thei be clcne , withowtyn blame ,
Byd hem come hedyr , and shewe wyttnes.
Denunciator.
All redy, ser, I schal hem calle,
Here at yowr coorte for to apper.
And , yf I may hem mete with all ,
I hope ryght sone thei sehal ben her.
Awey , sers! let me com nerne;
A man of wurchep here comyth to place.
MAKY A\I» JOSKI'll. JSt
Of curtesy . me sriii>lli, jc \,v lo It'iiu' ,
Do of yow hoilys, >villi an ovyl graco!
Do inc sum wiu'fhc|) hel'or my lace.
Or, lu" my troutli , I shall yon make
If that I rollc yow up in my race ,
For fer 1 schal do yo>vr liml)s qwake ,
But yit siun mode , and ye me take,
1 ^vyl «itlnlra\ve my yrel roiiyli toth.
Gold, or sylvyr, I wyl not lorsjJie ,
Hilt e>^u as all Somnors doth.
A, Joseph! good day, with thi fayr spowsc ;
My lorde , the liuschop , hath for yow sent ,
It is hym tolde that in thi house
A eockolde is —
j}Iun/.
Of God, in hevyn , I lake \\>ttiies.
That syiiful >verk Avas nevyr mv thought,
I am a mayd yit , of pure elennes .
Lyke as I was into this werd hroiighl.
Dtimncinlitr.
Ollivr \\\(liu's shall iioii l»c sought;
riniu art with rhilde , eehe man may se:
I i-liargc yow hothe ye tary nought,
Hut. lo the hus('lio{), (muii I'orih. with nie.
.I.,sr,>h.
To the l)MSflHi|) . \\\{\\ NOW. \\{' wcriilc ;
Of our |nil'{|ari(ni li,i\\c n\ c no ilowlli
Mani.
Almighty God .slial Ih- our fn-iule .
\>'hen the trewthc is Iryd owlh.
iJfiiitiuin/or.
Hal on tliis \\yse, e\«'us>lli her. every seovvte.
Whan her owmi snimic Ihmi iloth defame:
4-
32 MIHACLF. - PLAYS.
But lowly theriii tbei g^yn to lowth ,
W^han thei be {jylty, and fowndyn in blame.
Tberfore come forth cokewolde —
Denunciator upbraids them further, and bring^s
them before the Bishop , whom he thus addresses : —
My lord, the busebop ; bere bane I broiigbt
Tbis yoodly copyl , at yowr byddyng- ;
And , as me semytb , as be bere , fraught
Fayr chylde , lullay , sone must she syng. ,
Primus Detractor.
To her a credyl ye wolde brynge ,
Ye myght saue mony in her purse,
Becawse she is yowr cosyn , — tbinge ,
I pray yow, ser, lete her nevyr far the wers.
Episcopus.
Alas , Mary ! what hast thou wrought ?
I am a schamyd evyn for tbi sake.
Tell me who bath Avrought tbis wranke ,
How bast thou lost tbi holy name?
Marif.
My name , I hope , is saflF and sownde ,
God to wyttnes I am a mayd.
Of flescbly lust and gostly wownde
In dede nor thought I nevyr asayd.
Secundus Doctor Legiim.
Herke thou , Joseph ; I am afrayd
That thou hast wrought this opyn synne:
This woman thou bast thus betrayd ,
With gret flaterynge , or sum fals gynne.
MV!n AM) .lOSKril.
Secitiulus Ih'ti-ticlor.
\o\% . !)»■ u\\ tiiMvtli , yo hytle the pyuiic ,
Willi that purpose iu ieyth 1 holile ,
Tell nuAv ho^v thou thus hir iliulyst wynne ^
Or kuovlyeh thi self lor a eocke^vold?
Joseph.
Sehe is, for me, a tiewe clenc mayde,.
And I , for hii- , am clone also ;
Of flesehly svniie I nevyr asayde ,
Svthyn that sche was >veddyd me to.
ICjnscnjnis.
Thou schalt not sehape from vs, yitt so,
Fyrst thou shalte tellyn us another lay :
Streyt to the awter thou shalt {jo ,
The (b-Anfje of vengea^vns ther to asay.
Here is the hotel of Goddys venjyeauns :
This drynk shall he noAV thi purgacion :
This hath suche vertu , hy Goddys ordenauns.
That what man dr> nk of this potaeiou.
And {joth strai{jhtway in processyon.
Here in this place this awter abowth ,
If he be g^'lty , sum maculacion ,
Pleyn in his face , sehal sliewe it owth.
[/lie JitSKl'Il bibit et sepcies circiiiuit allure dicens: —
This drynk I take, with meke entent.
As I am {fjltles, to God I pray;
Loi'd I as thou art omnyp<»tente ,
On me then shewe the trowth this day.
[.l/of/o bibii.
About this anier I take the a% ay ;
O gracyous God help thi servaunt ,
As, I am jyyltles, ajjeyn you may;
Thi hand of mercy , this tyme . me {jraunt.
Denunciator.
This olde shrewe uiav not wiAc {;«mi.
Lonir'' he 1;ir\.'lli I., j;-. .r^ioulli;
iSSM: HIRACLE - PLAYS.
Lyft up thi feet, set forth thy ton.
Or, be my trewth, thou gfetyst a clowte.
Joseph is sorely upbraided and taunted, by De-
luniciator and the Detractors , whilst he paces round
the altar.
Joseph.
A, jjracyous God! help me this tyde ,
Ageyn this I>epyl , that doth me defame :
As I ne\';j'r more dede towche her syde.
This day help mc, from werdly schame,
Aboute this awter to kepe my fame.
vij tvTiies 1 haue gon rownd abowte.
If I be \^^lrthy to suffyr blame ,
O , ryghtful God ! my synne shewe owghte.
jEpiscopus.
Joseph; with herte , thank God, thi lorde,
Whos hey mercy doth the excuse ;
For thi purg-acion we schal recordc,
Wilh hyr, of syune, thou dedyst ne^-jr muse;
But, Mary, thi self mayst not refuse,
All grett with chlyde we se the stonde;
AVhat mystyz man dede the mysvse ?
Why hast thou synned ageyn thi husbonde?
JIanj.
I trespacyd uevyr, with erthely A\^-ght,
Therof I hope , throwe Goddys sonde ,
Her to l»e purgyd , J)efor yovrr syght ,
From all synne clene, lyke as my husbonde;
Take me the hotel, out of yowr honde;
Her sehal I drynke, befoi-n yowr face,
Abowth this awter than schal I fonde
vij tymes to go , by Godys grace.
MVIO \M» JOSKl'll. i»i»
Secintdus Ihutnr i^ctfum.
Willi fiotldys hyj; iu><jlit Inko tlioii no( rape,
<)l' (III piirj'iM'iuii yvi'\ tin* .-ivysc;
Vf tlum 1>(' {{"jlty thou iii;iyst not soluipe.
Bewar ovM of God that ryjrhHul jiislyee.
If God M^ith vfiijj-eauns set on the his syse,
Xot only thou, but all thi kyn is sehauiyd,
Betlyr it is to telle the trenth devyse,
Than (iod for to {>reve , and <»f hym be yraniyd
Manj drinks of the M.iter of vt'iijjcaiife , and
walks around the altar, saying- a prayer to (jod,
which she conehides thus: —
Gahryel me, \\itli >vordys, he be forn .
That ye , of your jyoodnes , woulde beeoiue my
chylde ;
Help now of your hyjyness, my wurehep be not lorn,
A dere sone I I pray yow, help \OAvr nioihr nivlde.
^lary reeciNes no harm IVoni lh«' polalion^ and
the liishop, in astonishment^ declares, that
Selie is elene mayde, both modM- and \v>n"I
The Detractors suspecting some deceit, express
their dissatisfaction.
Primus Dehnctnr.
Ite my fa<lvr s()^^le, here is [jrcf );n1<'.
Because s<-h«' is sjb of \<i\\r I.Miircd :
The drynk is ehaunffyd. 1>\ siiiii \':As \\\\i'.
Thai sche 11. • sliame sl.iildc Ii:.mc llii> sirc-d.
The Bishop orders J)elra(loi- (u «hinl; of Ihc
sanw cup.
1^ MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Primus Detractor.
Syr, ill g(»od feytli, a draugflit I puUe ,
If these to di'inkers have not all spent.
He iastaiily becomes frantic from the draughty
the Bishop and all jjresent ask pardon of Mary for
their suspicion and detraction, which she grants;
she and Joseph congratulate each other; and the
piece concludes.
TIIE
PAGEANT
THE COMPANY OF SHEARMEX AXD TAILORS
IN COVENTRY.
Although the Transcrlher of tliis Pageant in Ioo4, complacently
announces that it is •< nevly correcte " , ^ e must nevertheless regret the loss
of older copies; for the orthography of "Robert Croo" is so illiterate
and confused, as not to exhibit the language of his times in a fail-
and appropriate dress. The Speech of the « iSonceose " in French is
particularly corrupted.
THE NATIVITY
Ismje.
The sofferent thatt seithe evere seycrette ,
He saue you all and make you pei'fett and stronge:
And {jevenes {jrace w' his maree forto mete ,
For no«- in {jrctt mesore niankynd ys hownd.
The sarpent hathe jjevin vs soo mortall a wonde ,
That no creature ys abull vs forto reyles
Tyll thye right vncion of Jvda dothe seyse ;
Then schall moche myrthe and joie in cresse ,
And the right rote in Isaracll sprynge,
Thatt schall hi-yng forthc the greyne off whollcnes:
And owt of danger he schall vs hryng
In to thatt rcygcon ^vhc^e he ys kyng :
AVyche ahowc all othiir far dothe a hownde ,
And thatt cruell Sathan he schall confownde.
AVhere fore I cum here apon this grownde ,
To comforde eyuere creature off birthe;
For I Isaye, the profet, hathe fownde
Many swete matters, ^vhcreof %^e ma make uiyrth
On this same wysc.
60
Mllt\i:i.K - I'lKYS.
For tho}r|i th.-il A<liiiu he <iciuitl t«i tlrWiic
\V« all liis «liil.liir. ass.' Ali.'ll aiul Sr\ tli.- ;
Yctt eccc t'iii/n cnn.^iprit :
Loo. ^%li<'ir a D'NiiiiMlr scli.ill r\ sc I
He liolilc a iiiaMi)' M'liali i-diiscn \ i> a cliililf ,
Ami |;«'lt \.s inor«' [jrarc (liaii cmut iinii li.xl :
And liir nit'Mllii o<l iioililii|r il«>fS lid :
S«'lu' >s d«'|nil\d (<• IxMic III)- Mill aliii%;;lil«' (iod.
1 sillV.-nitis nn^s III.. Vnll !>,• ;;|ad .
Tor ul lllis lllrN.llli .ill wr lii.i I.)' t'.iMi.' ;
For Adam, lli.il MOW |\ is in snirois lull satU' ,
Ilir ijlorcnsr liii'tli scli.ill icmIc liMii ajjryn
From lioiida];!' and llirall.
\o^v ho nivrrr i'mhti' nioii .
For tliis di-dr lir\in\ in Isararll srliallu- donr .
And In-fort' llic lalliiir in Ironi-.
'Iliall srliall ;;I.hI.- vs all.
Morr of lllis !ii:illir laNiir xnoMi- I ^lo^ r .
But leii|pir Ixiiir I li.iiic mil liri-f I'lir In liwill.
Tliat Iniili- llial ys nirrrrt'nll liis nu-rrr soo in vs ma provo,
F<»r lo saxxc owro sollis from lln' darknrs of hrll .
And to his hUs ho vs lir>njj- asso ho ys holln- lord and l.vn|f ,
And shalho o>uorlastvn{|[ in seritia srcttlos : ann-n.
(iabrnll.
Ilaylo I Maro , full of yraoo, ouro Lord CifMJ >s «• tho
Ahouo all >vomon that ovuor >vasso ;
Lad<- Idossidc 111.. I.- IIk.u ho.
All mvjj^ht fathur and l^yn|f of hl>s.
From all dyssos Ihu sano nio non :
For inwardoly my sprofis Iruhhuld >s ,
ThatI I am ainaoid and kiio noil ho>v.
(lahpffll.
Drod tho nolhMi}> moxlin of this :
From hoyvin a ho%\o h^ddiir am I soni .
Of anihassa|;o from Mial Lvn;; of l.lv.-* ,
THE NATIVITV. 61
Unto the lade aud virfjin reyuerent ,
Salutyng: the here asse most exselent.
Whose vertu aboue all othur dothe abownde ;
Wherefore in the grace schalbe fownde :
For thow schalt conseyve apon this grownd
The second persone of God iu trone ;
He wyll)e borne of the alone, \v* owt sin thu schalt hyui see.
Thy grace and thi goodnes wyl neyuer be gone ,
But ejTier to lyve in vergenete.
Mare.
I uiarvell soore how thatt mabe :
Manes cumpany knev 1 neyxier yett,
Nor neyuer to do kast I me ,
Whylc thatt owre lord sendith me my wytt.
Gaberell.
The wholle Gost in the schall lyght ,
And schall do thy soil soo w' vertu.
From the fathur thatt ys on hyght :
These wordis turtill the be full tru.
This chylde that of the schalbe borne ,
Ys the seconde persone in trenete;
He schall saue that wase forlorne ,
And the fyndis powar, dystroie schall he ;
These wordis , lade , full tru the bene ,
And furthur , lade , here in thy noone lenage.
Be holde Eylesabeth thy cosyn clene ,
The ivyche wasse barren and past all age ,
Amd now w* chyld sche hath bene
Syx monethis , and more asse schalbe sene j
W^here for diseomforde the not Mare ,
For to God onpossibull nothyng mabe.
Mare.
IVow and yt be thatt lordis wjll,
Of my bodde to be borne and forto be ;
Hys hy pleysuris forto full fyl,
Asse his one hande mayde I submyt me.
62 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Gaherell.
Now blessid be the tyiue sett.
That thu waste borne in thy degire :
For now ys the knott surely knytt ,
And God conseyvlde in trenete.
Now fare well lade off myghtis most,
Vnto the God hed I the be teyehe.
Mare.
Thatt lorde the gyde in eyiiere cost.
And looly he leyde me and be my leyche.
[Here llic Anyell deptyth , find JOSOFF cumtft/i in and seyth
Mare , my wyif soo dere !
How doo ye dame, and whatt chere '
Ys w* you this tyde? • '••.
Mare.
Truly , husebonde , I am here ,
Owre Lordis wyll forto abyde.
Josoff.
Whatt I troo thatt we be all sehent :
Sey womon who hath byn here sith I went.
To rage wyth the.
3Iare.
Syr , here wase nothur man nor mans ey vin ,
But only the sond of owre Lorde God in heyvin.
Josoff.
Sey not soo womon , for schame ley be :
Ye be w* chyld soo w ondurs g-rett ,
Ye nede no more therof to tret ,
Ag'ense all rigfht.
For sothe this chylde dame ys not myne ,
Alas that eyuer w* my nynee
I suld see this syght.
Tell me womon whose ys this chyld?
Mare.
Non but youris busebond soo myhl ,
An«l ihatl schalbc scyne.
THE NATIVITY. WO
Josoff.
But uiyiio , alias I alias ! why soy yo soo ?
Wolf a\v«'y >\<>u)<>n. now may' I {foo
Be {;>1»1 its laanv a iinthur ys !
IVa truly , sii' , ye be not be {yylde ,
Xor yet w* spott of syn I am not defylde;
Trust yt well huse bonde.
Josoff'.
Iluse bond in fcytbe , and that acold :
A woylle awey Josoft", as tliow ar olde !
Lyke a Iblc now ma I stand and truso ,
But in feylh , 3Iaro , thu art in syn.
Soo mocho asc I haue cheyrischyd the dame and all thi kyn,
Be hj-nd my bake to serve me thus:
All olde men insampuU take be me ;
How I am be {j^'Hd here may you see ,
To wed soo YO»{f •'» ehyld.
>'ow fare -v^cll. Mare, I leyvo the here alone,
Worthc the dam and thy warkis ycheone :
For I woll noo more ho j^ylid ho for frynd nor fooe.
^ow of this dod I am soo dull .
And ofl' my lylV I am soo full, no farlhur ma I oo.
Anfjell j.
Arvse up Josoff, and {foo whom ajjeyne
Vnto Maro thy wyfl' that ys soo fre ;
To oomford hir loko that thow be fayne.
For Josoff a oloyno nioydin ys sohee.
Scho hath conseyvid w' owt any trayne
The seyoond person in treneto :
Jhu sehalbe hys name sarten ,
And all thys world sawo schall be not ajyast.
Josoff.
INow , Lordo I I thanko the w' hart full sad.
For of those tythynjps I am so {flad,
Thatt all my caro awey ys cast :
04 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Wherefore to Mare I woll in hast.
A Mare ! Mare ! I knele full loo ,
Forg'eve me, swete wyff, here in this lond.
Marce , Mare ! for now I kno
Of yom'e good gouernance and how yt doth stond :
Thoght thatt I dyd the inys name.
Marce , Mare ! whyle I leve
Wyll I neyuer, swet wyff, the greve in ernyst, nor in game.
3Iare.
Now thatt Lord in hey vin , sir, he you foi'gy ve :
And I do for geve yow in hys name for euermore.
Josoff.
Now truly, swete wyff, to you I sey the same;
But now to Bedlem must I wynde ,
And scho my self soo full of care ,
And I to leyve you this grett behynd,
God wott the whyle dame how you schuld fare.
3tare.
Na hardely, husehond, dred ye nothyng.
For I woll walke w' you on the wey.
I trust in God all myghte kyng
To spede right well in owre jurney.
Josoff'.
rVow I thanke you , Mare , of youre goodnes ,
Thatt ye my wordis woll not blame ;
And syth that to Bedlem we schall vs dresse ,
Goo we to gedur in Goddis wholle name.
Now to Bedlem haue wc leygis three ,
The day ys ny spent, yt drawyth toward nyght:
Fayue at your es , dame, I wold that ye sehulde be:
For you groue all werely , yt semyth in my syght.
Mare.
God haue marcy ! Josoffe , my spowse , soo dere !
All profeltis herto dothe beyre wyttncs.
The Avcre tyme now draith nere
Thatl my chyld woll>c borne , wyehe ys kyng of blis.
TIIK WriMTY. (Jo
Vnto siiiu i»l;icc . JosoO'. I.Nntll> an- l« ytU- ,
Thatt I mojjlil it'sl nw w' ^;r.u(' in this tydf.
The lyjj^ht of tlu' fathiir oiu-r luis holli sproydc ,
And Jlic jjract' of iii\ sun \\* \s Ih'I-c al»\(l('.
J0.V0//;
L.>«., I.lossiil Mar.'! Iut.' s.-liall yv I.mhI,
CihetV ohosyn of owve Lordf, ainl <-l<'>nist in (It'jji-f;
And 1 for lu'lp to (owno avoII 1 ui-iidc.
Ys uott this the hest dauie . ^\hall sc\ jl-?
J/rtre.
God hane niarce ! JosoU', my huse bond , soo niek*- !
And liai-toly I pra you jyoo now fro me.
joso//:
Thatt sehall)e dune in hasl. Marc, son swi'lcl
The eomford of the whoUe TiosJ Icwc I nn ' lli.-.
Xow to liedlem streyjfht \\o\\ I wjnd.
To (jett som helpe for Mare soo fre,
Sum helpe of ^veraen , God ma me send !
Thatt 31are, full olf j;raeo , jdeysid ma he.
I^astar J.
.Now God ilial ail in h.iiclc.
Thow sawe my fellois and nie ;
For I kno nott wheyr*- my selie«'pe nor the lie ,
Thys iiy{,dit yt ys soo j'ohlc.
Now ys yt ny{fh the myddis «»f the n>j;hl.
These wediirs ar darkc and dym of lyjfht,
Thatt of them can hy haiie noo sjifht
Standyn{| here on this v\nld.
But now to make ihiTe harlis lyifhl ,
\ow will I full ri|^hl slan«l apon this looe ,
And to them ery w' all my "'Ji;!"' :
Full well my v«»ise the kn»t,
W hool felloisi IhmiI IiooI IhmiI
l*ast„i ij.
Hark, Sym. hail..'. I li.r.' o^^n• l.n.llii.r 011 llir loe ,
This ys hys woise , ri[jlil ^^<■ll I kn<io .
66 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
There fore toward hym lett vs goo ,
Aud folio his woise a rijjht.
See, Sym, se where he doth stondj
I fun ryjyht glad we haue hym fond,
lirothiu! where hast thow hyn soo long,
And this nyght hit ys soo eold?
Pastor j.
E! fryndis! ther cam a pyrie of wynd w* a myst suddenly,
Thalt forth oiF my weyis went I,
And grett heyvenes in made I ,
And wase full sore afrayde;
Then forto goo wyst I nott whyddur ,
But trawellid on this loo hyddur and thyddur;
I wasse so were of this cold weddur,
Thatt iiere past wasse my myght.
Pastor iij.
Brethur, now we he past that fryght.
And hit ys far w* in the nyght:
Full sone Avoll spryng the day lyght.
Hit drawith full nere the tyde.
Here awhyle lett vs rest,
And repast owreself of the hest,
Tyll thalt the sun ryse in the est,
Let vs all here ahyde.
iTIiere the SCHEPPERDIS drawi/x furlh ilier meijtc , and
doth eyte and drynh , and asse the drytik , the fynd
the star and sey thus i —
Brethur, loke vp and hehold,
Whatt Ihyng ys yondur thatt schynith soo hryght,
Asse long ase eyuer I haue wachid my fold,
Yett sawe I neyuer soche a syght in fyld.
A ha ! now ys cimi the tyme that old fathiu's hath told ,
Thatt in the wynturs nyght soo cold,
A chyld of meydyn borne be he wold.
In whom all profeciys schalbe fullfyld.
THE NATIVITY. <»7
Pastor j.
Trutli y' ys \v' owt iiayc,
Soo seyd the profott Isayt' ,
Thatt a cliyltli' schiiltl Ix' Ixn'no of a inadi* soo liryj;lit .
In >vtMitur ny the sehortist «ley ,
Or elis in the iiiyddls of the iiyjjiit.
Pastor ij.
Louvul he God, most ott' myght!
That owre (yrace ys to see thatt syjjht:
Pray y\c to hym ase hit ys rij^dit ,
YlV fhaft hys \^yll yt he,
Thatt ^\ e ma haiie knoley{ye of this synjfiiefocaeiou ,
And why hit aperilh on this fassion;
And eyuer to hym lett vs {jeve hnvdaeion ,
In yerlhe, ^NhyK> thatt we he.
I There the ^inf/elis ■"•jiif/ (ilorea in cxselsis Deo. J
Pastor iij.
llarke , the syuy ahowe in the clowdis clere;
Hard I neyiier of soo myrre a quere :
Now {jciityll hrethiir draw we nei*e
To here there armony ?
Pastor j.
Brothnr, uiyrth and solas ys cum hus amony ,
For he the swettnes of ther songe;
Goddis sun ys cum, whom we hauc lokid for lon}[,
Assc synjjnefyith thys star that we do see.
Pastor ij.
Glore, f/lnrea m exselsis , that wase ther son{fe ;
How sey ye , fellois ! seyd the nol thus '.'
Pastor j.
Thatt ys welseyd, now goo we hence
To worschipe thatt chyld of hy manyffecenee;
And that we may syng in his presence,
Et in tarra pax omy)iibits.
[There the Schcp/ierilis si/iitfis V^(■ I out rodilf . ami JOSOFF
seyth ; -
"^ MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Now Lorde Ibis noise that I do here ,
W* this {jrett solemnete,
Grelly amendid hath uiy chore,
I trust hy nevis sehortly AV(dl>e.
[T/icrc the .luffellis stjnij Gloria in cxsi-lsis nr/ryiu:]
Mare.
A! Josofl', husrhond, cum heddur anon,
3Iy chjlde ys Ixunc that ys kynjy of hlys.
Josoff.
Now welciun to me, (he makar of mon ,
W* all the omajje thatt I con;
Thy swete mothe here woll I kys.
Mare.
A! Josoff, husehond, my chyld waxith cold.
And we haue noo lyre to warme hym w'.
Josoff.
Now in my armys I sehall hym fold ,
Kyn{j of all kjiigis be fyld and be fryth:
He myght haue bad bettur, and hym selfe wold.
Then the breythyn;' of these bestis to warme bjin w'.
3Iare.
NoAv Josoff, my husboud, fet heddur my chyld.
The maker off man, and hy kyngf of blys.
Josoff.
That schalbe done anon. Mare, soo myld !
For the brethyngf of these bestis hath warmyd well I >vys.
Angell j.
llyrd men bynd di*ede ye nothyng.
Off thys star thatt ye do se ;
For thys same morne Godis sun ys borne.
In Bedlem of a maydin fre.
Angell ij.
Hy you hyddur in hast;
Yt ys hys wyll ye sehall hym see
Lying^e in a erybbe of pore reypaste ,
Yett of Davithis lyne cumon ys bee.
THE NATIVITY. OJJ
Pastor J.
Hayle, mayde, modur , and wyff, soo myld!
Asse the Angell seyd , soo haue we fonde.
I haue nothyiig- to pi-eseut w* the chylde ,
But my pype hold, take yt in thy hond;
Where in moche ploysure that I haue fond.
And now to oonowi'e thy {jioreose hyrthe ,
Thow schallt yt haue to make the myrthe.
Pastor if.
]\ow hayle be thow chyld , and thy dame ,
For in apore loggyn here art thow leyde;
Soe the Ang:ell seyde , and tolde vs thy name.
Holde , take thow here my hat on thy hedde ,
And now off won thyng: thow art well sped;
For weddur thow hast noo nede to complayne.
For wynde , ne sun, hayle, snoo, and rayne.
Pastor lij.
Hayle , be thow lorde ouer watm* and landis ,
For thy eimiyng: all we ma make myrthe;
Haue here my myttens to pytt on thi hondis,
Othur treysure haue I non to present the w*.
3Iare.
Now , hertlmen , hyud for youre comyng- ,
To my chylde schall I pra ,
Asse he ys heyvin kyng:, to grant you his blessyng.
And to hys blys that ye may w^nd at your last day.
[Tliere the Scliepperdi s syttrjith arfeyne , and (joth forthe of
the place , and the ij Profettls ciimylh in and seyth thus; —
Profefa j.
IVovcllis , novellis, of wondrfull mervellys!
Were hy and defuce vnto the hei-yng,
Asse scripture tellis these strange novellis to you I bryng.
Prof eta ij.
I\ow hartely, syr, I desyi'e to knoo ,
Yff hytt wolde pleyse you forto schoo
Of whatt maner a thvn.o.
70 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Profeta j.
Were mystecall vnto yoiire hei'yn{f
Of the natevete off a kyng?
Profeta ij.
Of a kynjf, whence schuld he cum?
Profeta j.
Fi'om thatt reyg^end ryall, and mighty maneion ,
The sede seylesteall and heyvlnly vysedomc ;
The seycond person , and Godis one simi ,
For owre sake ys man he cimi;
This godly spere desendid here.
In to a vergin clere sche on defyld,
Be whose warke ohskevre
Owre frayle nature ys now hegilde.
Profeta ij. - ;
Why hathe sche a chyld ?
Profeta j.
E! trust hyt well, and ueuer the las,
Yet ys sche a mayde eviu asse sche wasse.
And hir sun the kyng- of Isaraell.
Profeta ij.
A wondur full mavvell how thatt ma be ,
And far dothe cxsell all owre capasete, ^ -
How thatt the trenete of soo hy regallete,
Schuld be jonyd vnto owre mortallcte.
Profeta j.
Of his one g^rett marce as ye schall se the exposyssion.
Throgh whose vmanyte all Adamis prog-enc
Reydemyd schalbe owt of pcrdyssion;
Syth man did offend, who schidd amend.
But the seyd mon and no nothur;
For the wyche cawse he incarnate wold be.
And lyve in mesere asse manis one brothur.
Profeta if.
Syr, vnto the deyite I beleve perfettle
Onpossibull to bo there ys nothyng:
THE .XATIVITY. 71
IIow he yt this warkc vnto me ys darkf,
III the opperaclon or wyrkynjj-.
Prof eta j.
Wliatt more reyprlfl' ys vulo bclyll' Iht'ii to hi' do>\lyajj.
Profeta ij.
Yet (h)wlis oftvmis hatho dcrevacioa.
Profeta j.
Thatt ys he the meyues ol' comenecacion ,
Of Irawlliis to haue a dev prohacioii ,
Be the same do>vts reysonlnj'-.
Profeta ij.
Then to you thys won thynjj-; —
Of ^vhatt nobull ami hy leuajfc ys schee,
Thatt mygfht this verabull princis modur be?
Profeta j.
Ondu^vlid sche ys cimi of hy jjarrage ,
Of the ho«se of Davith, and Salainon the sajye.
And Avon off the same lyne joynid to hir lie mareag-e ,
Of Avhosc tryLe we tlo sid)scryve this chy[l]ilis Icnajje.
Profeta ij.
And why in thatt ^vysse?
Profeta j.
For yt wasse the {jysse
To conte the parant on the manys lyne ,
And nott on the feymyne,
Amonst vs here in Isaraell.
Profeta ij.
Yctt can I nott aspy , l)e no Avysse,
IIow thys chylde home schuldlie w* ow [t] naluris prejiidysc.
Profeta j.
Xay no prejudyse vnto natm-c I dare well sey ,
For the kynjy of nature may hawe all at his one wyll.
I)yd not the powar of God make Aronis rod I)«'yr»' fnite
in on day?
Profeta ij
Truth yt js in ded
72 MIHACLE - PLAYS.
Profeta j.
Then loke you and rede.
Profeta y\
A! I preseyve the sede where apon thatt you spake;
Yt wasse for owre nede thatt he fraylc nature did t;die.
And his blod he schuld schede amens forlo make
For owre transejjression ,
Ase yt ys seyd in profece ; — thatt of the lyne of Jude
Sehuhl spryngf a rij^bt Messe,
Be whom all wee sehalld haue reydemcion.
Profeta j.
S' , now ys the tyme cum.
And the date there of i*un
Off his natevete.
Profeta ij,
Yett I beseke you hartele, that ye wold schoo me how
Thatt this strange nowelte were broght vnto you.
Profeta j.
This othur nyght soo cold,
Hei'eby ajion a wolde,
Schepperdis waehyng there fold,
In the nyght soo far.
To them aperid a star.
And eyuer yt cL-ev them nar ;
Wyche star the did behold,
Bryghter the sey M folde ,
Then the sun so el ere
In his mydday spere ;
And the these tythyngis tolde.
Profeta ij.
What seycretly ?
Profeta j.
IVa , na , hardely ,
The made there of no conseil ,
For the song ase lowde.
Tiu; ^v^l\ll^
73
As«' pyuer the «'o«di' ,
Presyiij}- tbe kYi»[f of Isar.icll.
I'ntjrtd ij.
Velt do I luarvoll,
III >\ ii:it pvlc or castcll,
Tlu'sc licrdincu dyd liyui see.
Prof'eta j.
Xolhur ill liallis, nor vctt in Itowris,
Boriu' wold ho not ho;
Xolhur ill oaslollis , nor vol in towris.
Thai soiniy >vero to so:
But att hjs fathurs ^vyll ,
The proi'ooi to lull fyll ,
Bo twjxt an ox and an as,
Ihu this kynjf l)orne he was;
Iloyvin he lirynjj- us tvll !
Prnfcta ij.
S'. a! hut uhou these SchepperiL's had seyue hyni there,
In to whatt plaoe did they repeyre?
Prnfrfa j.
Forllic the avciiI . and i;lad llio wore;
(ioiiijf the did svnjj
AV» inyrihe and solas, the made yood chore.
For joio ol" thatl new lythinjj-.
And aflur asse I hard the tell ,
lie reprardid them full well ,
lie jiraunt them hevyn tlier in to (h>oll.
In ar the jyon w' joio and inyrlho .
And there sonjyo hit ys in'owell.
\_There ihe I'rnfvtlis t/olftc fiiil/ic , and Erod ciinii/t/i in mid the
.Messeinfer. |
Aonceose.
Faytes pais , domnyis haronys dc {j^vande reynowne !
Payis , seneoris sehevaloris do norddo posanoo I
Pays, g;eutis homos coiiiiiaiioriiiN s polis ojjraiK-o '
Jo vos eoramaud (Iii);ard fio\fus s^ laiico !
74 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Payis tanqiie vottur nooble Roie syre ese peresance !
Que nollls persoiie esc non fawis perwynt dedfterance :
]\ese liarde de frappas, mayis gardiis to cor paceance
Mayis gfardus voter seneor to cor rcyuerance ;
Car elat vottur Role tuto puysance.
Amon de leo pase , tos je vose cummande ,
E lay Roie Erott la, girandeaboly vos vmport.
Erode.
Qui statis in Jude et Rex Iseraell,
And the mygbttyst conqucrowre tbat eyuer walkid ou {jrownd :
For I am cvyii he thatt made bothe bevin and hell.
And of my myg-bte powar bolditb vp this world rownd.
Mago{j and Madroke , bothe the did I confownde ,
And w* this bryg:ht bronde there bonis I brak on suud'r,
Thatt all the wyde worlde on those rappis did wond'r.
I am the cawse of this grett lyght and thund'rj
Yett ys throgh my fiire that the soche noyse dothe make.
My feyrefull contenancc the clowdis so dolh incumbur,
Thatt oftymis for dred thcr of the verrc yerth doth quake.
Loke when I w* males this bryght brond doth sehake ;
All the whole world from the north to the sowthe ,
I ma them dystrole w* won worde of my mowthe.
To reycownt vnto you myn inuevmerabull substance
Thatt were to moche for any tong to tell;
For all the whole Orent ys vnd'r myn obbeydeance.
And prynce am I of purgatorre , and chelT capten of hell.
And those tyraneos trayturs be force ma I compcll
Myne enmyis to vanquese, and evyn to dust them dryve.
And w* a twynke of myne ice not won to be lafte alyve.
Behold my contenanee and my colur,
Bryghtur then the sun in the meddis of the dey !
AVhcre can you bane a more jfrettur succur.
Then to behold my person that ys soo gaye ;
My fawcun and my fassion w* my gorgis araye?
He thatt had the grace all wey ther ou to thynke ,
Lyve the myght all wey w» owt othur meyle or drynke;
lilt >Aiivn^.
76
Ami Ihys my tryonifaiuli' fame most hylist dotho a bo^vmle.
Throjyh owl this worM in all reyj;i'ons al)rod ,
Roysomelyiij;;^ Uie I'aiicr of ihatt most myjflit Mahowml;
From Jiihytoi' hi- ilosciil, ami cosyii lo the {jri'lt Goil ,
Ami naiuvd llio most reyilowndid kyn(|;^ Eyroddc ,
»'yfbt' llialt all pryiiois bath undur subjcocion ,
Ami all tlicrt' mIiuIc powar viidur my proteeciou;
And thcreforo my liart'ode hero callid Calcas,
AVanie thow cyucr porte , tliatt no schyppis a ryve,
\or also alcond stranger tlirojj my realine pas,
But the for there trnafj-e do pay markis fyve.
Now spcde the forth hastele ,
For the thatt wyll the eontrare
Apon a jjalowse han{;-id sehalbe ;
And, he MahoAvnde , of me the jjett noo gvaee.
\oncios.
I\ow, lord and mastur ! in all the hast.
Thy worethe Myll ytt schall he wrojfht;
And thy ryall cuntrcyis schalhc past,
In asse sehort tyme asse can he lho(;ht.
Krodr.
>'ow sehall owre rej;<'ons ihrojjh out he soj;ht
In eyiier |dace , hothe Est and West:
Yff any kat>iris to in»> he hro{;ht
\t sehaihe nolliyn{;- for there hest.
And the whyle thatt I do resst,
Trompeltis , viallis, and otlnir armonc,
Sehall hies the wakynjj of my inaiste.
\llcrc Eroil ijolh ntipif, iind lite lij liijurjix sprijl.ijl/i in the i/rc/r.]
/J..V j.
\o%v hlessid he God of his suet sonde,
For yondiir a feyre hryj^ht star I do see!
\ow ys he eommon vs a monfj-e
Asse the profettis seyd that yt sclmld i»c
Asoyd there sehuld a hahe he Ihumc
Comynj} of Ihe rote of Jesse,
76 HIRACLE - PLAYS.
To sawe mnnkynd that wasse for lorne ,
And truly come now ys he.
Reyiierenec and worsehip to liyni woll I do ,
Asse God and man th;«lt all made of nojfht.
All the profettls acordid and seyd evyn soo ,
Thatt w* hys presseos blod mankind schuld be hojjht.
He grant me grace be yonder star thatt I see ,
And in to thatt place bryng me ,
Thatt I ma hym worscliipe w* umellete ,
And se hys gloreose face.
Rex ij.
Out olV my wey I deme thatt I am.
For tooeuns of thys cuntrey can I non see;
IVow God thatt on yorlh madist man ,
Send me sum knoleyge where thatt I be.
Yondur me thynke a fcyre bryght star I see ,
The A^'yche be tociinyth the byrth of a chyld ,
Thatt hcdur ys cum to make man fre.
He borne of a mayde, and sche nothyng dcfyld;
To worsehip thatt chyld ys myn in tent.
Forth noAV wyll I take my wey ;
I trust sum ciimpany God hath me sent.
For yondur I se a kyng labur on the wey ;
To warde hym now woll I ryde.
Harke , cimily kyng- , I you pray ,
In to whatt cost wyll ye thys tyde,
Or weddur lyis yowre jurney?
Rexj.
To seke a chylde ys myne in tent.
Of whom the profettis bathe ment;
The tyme ys cum now ys he sent ,
Be yondur star here ma [you] see.
Rex ij.
^' -, I prey you >>' your lysencc ,
To ryde w* you vnto his presence;
THE NATIVITY. 77
To hyin wyll I ofl'iiv frank in sencc.
For the lied oC all ^vhole cLurcbe scliall he he.
Rex iij.
I ryde wanderyiij}: in veyis wyde ,
Oner montens and dalis, I >vot not where I am.
Now liyng- of all hyngis send me soche gyde ,
Thatt I mygrht haue knoleyge of this cimtreys name.
A yondur I se a syght he seymyng all afar ,
The wyehe he tocuns sum nevis ase I troo,
Asse me thynhe a chyld peryng- in a stare ;
I trust he he cimi thatt schall defend vs from woo.
To kyngis yundur I see , and to them w oil I ryde ,
Forto haue there cumpaue I trust the ^vyll me ahyde.
Hayle, cumly kyngis, augent!
Good surs , I pray you wheddur ar ye ment ?
Rex J.
To seke a chylde ys owre in tent ,
AVyche he tocuns yondur star asse ye ma see.
Rex tj.
To hyiu I purpose thys present.
Rex iij.
Surs, I pray you and thatt ryght \-mhlee,
W you thatt I ma ryde in cumpaue;
To all myghte God now prey we,
Thatt hys pressiose persone we ma se.
[Here Erode cumyih in aget/ne , and the MESSEISGERE seijth; —
Hayle lorde , most off myght !
Thy commandement ys right.
In to thy land ys comyn thys nyght
iij kyngis , and w* them a grett cumpany.
Erod.
Whatt make those kyngis in this cuntrey V
Noncios.
To seke a kyng and a chyld the sey.
Erode.
Of whatt age schuld he hee ?
78 MIRACLE -PLAYS,
Noticios.
Skant tvvcllve dcyis old fulle.
Erod.
And wasse he soo late borne 7
Noncios.
E! Syr, soo the schode me thys same dey in the morne.
Erod.
Now , in payne of deyth , bryng them me beforne ;
And there fore, harrode , now by the in hast,
In all spede thatt thow were dyjjht.
Or thatt those kyn,ofis the cuntrey be past;
Loke thow l)ryng them all iij before my syght.
And in Jerusalem intpiere more of thatt chyld?
But I warne the that thy worilis be mylde ,
For there mast thow hede, and crafty wey
How to do his powere, and those iij kyngis shalbe begild.
Nonct'os.
Lorde , I am redde att youre byddyng ,
To sarve the ase my lord and kyng:, i .., ,
For joye there of loo how I spryngf ,
\V lyght hart and fresche gamboldyng,
Alofte here on this molde.
Erode.
Then sped the forthe hastely.
And loke thatt thow beyre the eyvinly:
And also I pray the hartely, thatt thow doo
Comaud me bothe to yong and olde.
Nuncios.
Ilayle , syr kynjjis , in youre degre !
Erood, kyng- of these euntrcyis wyde
Desyrith to speyke w* you all thre.
And for youre comyng- he dothe abyde.
Rex j.
Syr, att his wyll we be ryght bayue.
Hy us brethur vnto thatt lordis place;
THE NATIVITY. 70
To speyke w' hym we wold be f'ayne ,
Thatt chyld thalt we seke , lie j;rant vs of his j;iaee !
JXoticios.
Ilaylc, lortle ^^' owt pere !
These iij kynjjis here have we broiyht.
JErode.
l\ow welciim, syr kyngis, all in fere;
But of my bryght blesurs bassehe ye iiofjht.
S' kyngis, ase I vndiirstaml
A star bathe {fydid you into my land ;
^Vhere in grett harie ye bane fonde ,
Be reysun of hir beyniis bryght;
AVherefore I pray you barlely,
The vere truthe thalt ye wold sertcly;
IIo^v long yt ys siu"ely,
Syn of tliat star you had fiu-sl syght?
Rexj.
S' kynge, the vere truthe sey.
And forto schoo you ase hit ys best.
This same ys evin the xii"" dey
Seyth yt aperid to vs to be west.
Erode.
Brethur , then ys there no more to sey ,
But w* hart and wyll kepe ye your jiirney;
And cum whom by me this same wey,
Of your nevis thatt I myght knoo.
You schall tryomfe in this cuntre.
And w* grett comjuorde bankett w* me :
And thatt chylde myself then woll I see ,
And honor hjin also.
Hex if.
S' , Youre commandement we woll fulfj 11 ,
And humbly abaye owreself there tyll ;
lie thatt weldith all thjTig at wyll
The redde way bus teyche ,
S"^ kyng ! thatt we ma pass your land in pes.
80 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Erode.
Yes! and wallie softely eyviii at your one es,
Yoiu"e pase porte for a C deyis,
Here sehall you liaue of clere cummaud
Owre reme to labur any weyis,
Here sehall you haue be spesscliall {jrante.
Rex iij.
IVow fare well kyng: of hy degre;
Humbly of you owre leyve we take.
Erode.
Then adev , S"" kyng-is , all tbre ;
And wliyle I lyve be bold of me;
There ys notbynj}- in this cuntre.
But for youre one ye sehall yt take.
Now these iij kyngis ar gon on ther wey.
On wysely and on wyttely haue the all wroghte.
When the cimi ageyne the sehall dy thatt same dey.
And thus these vyle wreychis to deyth the sehalbe broght ;
Soehe ys my lykyng.
He that agenst my la^vys wyll hold.
Be he kyng or keysar , neyuer soo bold ,
1 shall them cast in to caris eold ,
And to deyth I sehall them bryng.
[jVtere Erode goth his iveys , and the iij liifttf/is cum in aijcyne.]
Rex j.
O blessid God, moche ys thy myght!
Where ys this star thatt gawe vs lyght?
Rex ij.
Now knele we downe here in this presence ,
Be sekyng that lord of hy maugnefecens ;
That we ma see his hy exsellence,
Yff that his swet wylbc.
Rex iij.
Yondur , broth ur , I see the star ,
Where by I kno he ys nott far ;
rilE NVTIVITY. 81
llu'fcroic . Initlis . jjoo \\i- urn-
lulu tilts pore iilai'c.
I T/ieyc the t'l'j lii/nijis </i>is in to llie Jiscn , to Mtirr , and /lir rliiUL]
Hr.X J.
liable, Loiilo lliatl all this ^voildc liaili nn..;lil !
ilalc. God and man to {'cdiu- in lore!
For lliow hast made all tliynjf ol' noybt,
AIIm' \l (liatt thow lyist porely Lore.
A cin»i' lull [of] {jolde here I haue the broyhl
In toeoiijn[; ihow art w* owt pere.
Rex ij.
Ilayle he thow, lonle oi' hy uiaugnyQeeens !
Ill toeonyii{|- of prestood , and djnjfnete of oftece ,
To the I oll'ur a ciipe full of in senee ;
For yt he hovith the to haue soehe saerefyce.
Hex iij.
Ilayle he thow, lorde lonjje lokid fore!
I haue hrofjht the myre for uiortalete ,
In to eun>nj;- ihow selialt luankynd restore.
To lyO" he thy deyth apon a tre.
Mare.
God haue ineree , kyn[;is , of yowre goodues!
J{e the {jydyn^r of the }>odhed hiddiu- are ye sent;
The pr«»vysslon of luy s>vete sun yoiu- weyis >vhom reydres.
And {jostely reywarde you for youre present.
Rex j.
Syr kynjjis, aftnr o%vre promes,
Whouie he Erode, I nivsl nedis jfoo.
Hrx ij.
y^^\\ ti'iih . hcrthur . \ve can iioo las
Bui I aiu soo far wachid I wolt not ^val to do.
Rex iij.
Rv{;hl s<to am 1. u here fore I >oii pray.
Lelt all vs resi \s awhyle upon this 'jnnviid.
G
82 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Rex j.
Brethur , yoiu' seyingf ys rigflit well vnto my pay ;
The {jrace of thatt swet chylile saue vs all sownde.
Angell.
Kyng: of Tawnis , S'' Jesper!
Kyng- of AiTaby , S' Baltliasar !
Melelior Ivyaj}" , of Aginare !
To you now am I sent.
For drede of Eyrode, goo you west whom
In to those perties when ye cimi downe ,
Ye schalbe byrrld w' gret reyuowne :
The wholle Gost thus knoleyge hath sent.
Rex j.
Awake , S"" Kyngis , I you praye ,
For the voise of an Angell I hard in my dreme!
Rex ij.
Thatt ys full tru thatt ye do sey ,
For he reyherssid owre names playne.
Rex iij.
He had thatt we schuld goo downe he west ,
For drede of Eryrodis fawls he traye.
Rex j.
Soo forto do yt ys the best,
The ehild that we haue soght , gyde vs the wey !
IVow fare well the feyrlst of schapp soo swete.
And thankid he Jhu of his sonde ,
Thatt we iij to gedur soo suddenly schuld mete ,
Thatt dwell soo wyde , and in straunge lond ,
And here make owre presentacion
Vnto this kyngis son clensid soo cleyne,
And to his modur for ovre saluaeion;
Of moclic myrlh now ma we meyne ,
Thatt we soo well hath done this ohhlaeion.
Rex ij.
Now farewell , S'' Jaspar , hrothnr to you
Kyng of Tawrns , the most Avorthe ;
rilE NATIVITY. |{5
S' Ballliasar, also lo you 1 how.
And 1 tliaiiko you holhe of yiuui' j;»»o(l cunipany ,
Tliatt -wc toj;(MKlur hauc hail.
He lliall niadt' vs to moto on byll ,
I thankc Lyni now and oyuiT I ^\\\\ ;
For now may we {|00 owl yll.
And off owrc oflVrynj'e lie full fayne.
Rex iij.
XoAV sylli tliatt wo nivsl nedly {joo
For drode of Erode , thai! ys soo wrolhe ,
Xow fare well, brotliur, and hrotlmr also;
I take my leve here at you botlic
This dey on fote.
Xow he tlialt made vs to mete on playiie ,
And offurde to Mare in liir jcseyne;
lie j|eve vs jjraee iu heyvin a {}ayne
All to {jeyder to mete.
Nuncios.
Ilayle, kynj;- most Avortliisl in wede !
Ilayle , manteinar of eurterse tlu"o|;h all this world wyde!
Ilayle , the most myjjhlyst that ejnier hestrod a stedc !
IIa[y]le, most nionfuUisf mon in armor man to a hyde !
Ilayle , in thyne hoonowre !
Theese iij kyn{|is tliatt forthe were sent.
And seliuld haue eum ajj-eyne before llic here present,
Anothur wey, Lorde, whom the went
riontrare to thyn honoure.
Erode.
A nothnr wey ! — owt ! owt ! owl !
llalli those fawls Iraylvrs done me (his ded ?
1 slainpe, I stare. I loke all al^o^vll;
Myjfht I them lake I schuld Uu-m l»ren at a jjlede !
I rent , I rawe , and now run I wode.
A! lliall these velen traylurs halh inard llijs my mode!
The schalhe hanj^id yf I ma cum tln-iii lo.
lllcrc Erode rni/is in thifs jiatfouil , iind iu ihc sticlr nlxo.]
84 MIBACLE - PLAYS.
E ! and tbatt kerne of Bedlem , he schalbe ded ,
And thus schall I for do his profece.
How sey you, S"^ knygfhtis, ys not this the best red,
Thatt all yong- chyldiir for this schuld be dede ,
Wyth sworde to be slayne?
Then schall I, Erod, lyve in lede,
And all folke me dowt and drede ,
And offur to me bothe gold , rychesse , and mede ;
Thereto wyll the be full fayne.
Mijles j.
My lorde , kyng Erode be name !
Thy wordis agenst my >vyll schalbe.
To see so many yong chyldur dy , ys schame ;
Thei'efore consell ther to gettis thu non of me.
Myles ij.
Well seyd, fello! my trawth I plyght;
S"^ kyng ! perseyve right well you may,
Soo grett a morder to see of yong frute ,
Wyll make a rysyng in thi uoone cuntrey.
Erode.
A rysyng ! — owt ! owt ! owt !
\_There Erode rayis ayeyne , and then seyth thus; —
Owt , velen wrychis ! bar apon you I cry ,
My wyll vtturly loke thatt yt be wroght.
Or apon a gallowse bothe you schall dy ,
Be Mahownde , most myghtyste, thatt me dere hath boght !
3Iyles j.
Now, cruell Erode, syth we schall do this dede,
Your wyll nedefully in this realme moste be wroght;
All the chyldur of thatt age dy the most nede ,
IVow w» all my myght the schall be vpsoght.
Myles ij.
And I woll sweyre here apon yoiu- bryght sworde,
All the chyldur thatt I fynd sclayne the schalbe;
Thatt make many a modur to wepe
THE >ATIVITY. J{o
Ami In- lull sore .iferde.
In own* aruior l)ryj>ht when the bus see.
Erode.
JNow you have sworne forth that ye }}Oo ;
Ami my wyll thatt ye «yrke hothe he (ley aud uj|;hl;
x\nil then wyll I for fayne trypp lyke a tlo«) ;
But ^vhan the he tied, I warne you, hrynjf h;uu he fore
iny sy{jht.
Angell.
Mare and Josofl'I to you I sey ,
S« ele word from the fathur I hrynp; you lull ryjjiht ; —
Owt of Bedlem in to Eyjj-jpe forth g-oo ye the wey.
And >v» you take the kynjj full of my{jht.
For clrede of Eroddis red.
A ryse up , Mare , hastely and sone !
Owre Lordls wyll ncdys most he done ,
Lyke ase the Angell vs had.
Mare.
Mekely , Josoff, my one spowse,
Towarde that euntrey let vs reypeyrc.
Att Eyjfvp siuii tocun off howse,
God {jrant hus {;race saff to ciun there !
\_Uerc the ff'cmen ciitn in wylhe there chyldur , .\i/iifft/nf/ them,
and Marc and Jofo/}' yot/i awcij cleijne.]
Il'omanj.
1 iolle my chylde wondursly swete ,
And iu my hai-mis I do hyt kepe.
Be cawse thatt yt sehuld not crye.
Il'omnti ij.
Thatt l»al)c fhati Ns Ixirne , in Bedlem, so meke ,
lie sane my einid ;iud me from velany !
Unman iij.
Be sInII: he st>li: ni> lytlul rhyldc !
That Lordr nf l(»rdis <m\v hnthe the and me;
8(> MIRACLE -PLAYS.
For Erode hath sworne w' wordis wyld,
Thatt all yon{> chyldiir sclayiie the schalhe.
Miles j.
Sey ye wyddurde, wyvis, wyddur ar ye a wey?
What hcyre yoii in yoiire armis uedis mvst we see ;
Yff the he mau chyldur , dy the mvst thys dey ,
For at Eroddis wyll all thyng: mvst he.
Mijles ij.
And I in handis wonys them hent ,
Them forto sley nogfht woU I spare ;
AVe most full fyll Erodis commandement,
Elis he we asse trayturs, and cast all in care.
fVoman j.
S^ knyg'htis ! of youre curtesse
Thys dey schame not youre chevaldre ,
But on my child haue pytte.
For my sake in this tyde.
For a sympull sclag:htur yt were to sloo ,
Or to wyrke soche a chyld woo ,
Thatt can nodur speyke nor goo,
Nor neuer harme did,
IVoman ij.
He thatt sleyis my chyld in syg:ht,
Yff thatt my strokis on hym ma lyght ,
Be he skwyar or knyjfht ,
I hold hym but lost.
Se thow fawls losyng'ere ,
A stroke schalt thow heyre me here ,
And spare for no cost.
IVomati iij.
Sytt he neyuer soo hy in saddull ,
But I schall make his braynis addull ,
And here w' my pott ladull ,
W hym woll 1 fyght.
I schall ley on hym athog:, I wode were,
W* thys same womanly geyre ;
THE NATIVITY. 87
Tlu'iT schall noo man stcyri',
AVIiotltlur tliati he ho kym;- or knyj|lit.
Mf/les J.
Who hard oyucr socht* a cry
Of ufiuou, thatt ihcrt' chyldur haue lost,
And {jfi'cttly reyliukynj} ehiMvaUh-y ,
Throgh owt (his rcme in eyuor cost,
AVycho many a mans lyll' ys lyke to cost :
For thys {jfrett ^\Teychc thatt here ys done .
I leyre mochc wengance ther off moH cum.
J/yles ij.
E, hrothiu', soche talis may we not tell.
Where fore to the kyng lett vs jjoo ,
For he ys lyke to heyre the hell ,
Wyche n asse the cawser that we did soo ;
Yetl must the all he hrojjht hym to ,
W* wayois and waggons fully frygjht :
I tro there wolhe a carefull syjfht.
Mijles j.
Loo ! Eyrode , kynjj I here mast thow see
How many M' thatt we haue slayue.
Myles ij.
And nedis thy wyll full fyllid must he.
There ma no men sey there ageyne.
A Mil CIO*..
Eyrod , kynj; ! I sehall the tell ,
All thy dedis ys cum to noght;
This child ys fjone in to Eygipte to dwell.
Loo! S' . in thy one land what woudiirs li>u wroj;hl.
Ernd
Into Eyjfiptc , alas! for woo,
Leuffur ill lande here I canot ahyde ;
Saddull my palfrey , for in hast wyll I j|00
Aflur yondur trayturs now w>ll I ryde .
Them for fo sloo.
88 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Now all men, hy fast,
In to Eygi2)te in hast;
All tliatt cnntrey woll I tast,
Tyll I ma cimi tliem to.
Fyiies hide de Taylars and ScJiarnien.
T[h]ys matter
nevly correcte be Robart Croo,
the xiiij''' dey of Marche ;
fenyschid in the yere of owre Lorde God
MCCCCC and xxxiiijte
then beyng- Mayre , Mastur Palmur:
also Mastris of the seyd Fellyschipp, Hev. Corbett.
Randnll Pynkard, and
John Bajiffely.
THEISE SONGES
liELONGE TO
THE TAYLORS AND SHExVREMEXS PAGANT.
THE FIRST AND THE LASTE THE SHEPHEARDS SINGE ,
AND THE SECOND OR MIDDLEMOST THE WOMEN SINGE.
THOMAS MAWDYCKE
die decimo tertio Mai ; anno Domini qiiingentesimo nona-
}>esimo priino. Praetor fuit civitatis Couventriae D.Mathaeus
Richardson : tunc Consules Johannes Whitehead et Thomas
Granener.
THE NATIVITY. 89
SONG I.
As I out rode this emlores nijyht,
Of thro ioll shcppardes I saw a sijyht.
And all a bo^vle there fold a star shone l>rij;li( ;
They sanjje , terli , terlow;
So mereli the sheppards ther pipes ean blow.
SOXG II.
Lully, lulla, thow Jittel tine child;
By. l>y, lully, lidlay , thow llttell tyne eliild ;
By, by, lully, lullay.
O sisters too ! how may we do ,
For to preserve this day
This pore you/jlin};- , for wbom we do sinjfe
By, by, luily, lullay.
Herod, the kinj}- , in his ra{>inj|,
Chargid he hath this day
His men of mijybt, in his owne sight.
All yong-e ehildren to slay.
That wo is me . pore child for the !
And ever morne and day ,
For thi partings nether say nor single.
By, by, lully, lallay.
S(K\a HI.
Doune from heaven , from heaven so hie ,
Of angeles ther came a g-reat eompanie,
W mirlhe , and ioy, and {>reat solemnltye
The sanfje , terly , terloA\ ;
So mereli the sheppards ther pipes can blow.
TOWIVELEY
MIRACLE- PLAYS
PIIARAO.
Pharao.
Peas , of payn that no man pas ;
But kepe the course that I commauude.
And take jjood hede of hjm that has
Yom-e helthe alio holy in hys liaude ,
For kynj;- Pharro my fader Avas ,
And led thys lordshyp of Ihys land ;
I am hys hayre , as age wylle has ,
Ever in stede to styr or stand.
Alle E{fypt is myne awne
To leede aftjT my law ,
I Avoid my myhte were knowne
And honoryd , as hit awe.
FuUe low he slialle he thrawne
That harkyns not my sawe ,
Ilanjjed hy and dra^nie ,
Therfor no hoste ye hkiw ;
But , as for kynjy , I commaund peasse ,
To alle the people of thys empyre.
Looke no man put hym self in preasse ,
Bot that w>lle do as I desyre ,
94 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
And of yourc wordes look that ye seasse.
Take tent to me, youre soferand syre.
That may youre comfort most increasse ,
And to my lyst howe lyfe and lyre.
Prinnis Miles.
My Lord, if any here were.
That wold not wyrk youre wylle;
If we myg-hte com thaym ncre,
FuUe soyn we shuld theym spylle.
Pharao.
Thrugihe out my kyngdom VTold I ken ,
And kun hym thank that wold me telle ,
If any were so waryd men,
That wold my fors down felle.
Secundus Jliles.
My Lord, ye have a manner of men
That make great mastres us emelle;
The Jues that won in Gersen,
Thay ar callyd chyldyr of Israel.
Thay multyplye fulle fast ,
And sothly we suppose
That shalle ever last ,
Oure lordshyp for to lose.
Pharao.
Why , how have thay syche gawdes hegun ?
Ar thay of myght to make sych fraycs ?
Primits 3Iiles.
Yei, Lord, fulle felle folk thcr was fan
In kyng^ Pharao, youre faders, daycs.
Thay cam of Josephe , was Jacob son ,
He was a prince worthy to prayse;
In sythen iu ryst have thay ay ron;
Thus ar thay lyke to lose youre layse ,
Thay wylle confound you clcyn ,
Bot if thav soner seasse.
93
Phaiuin.
W\\:\\ , •le\-)llc, is llial Uiay luoya
That lliay so fast incresse ?
Secundiis Miles.
How thay iucres fuUc wellc we ken.
As cure fatlers dyd understand ;
Thay were hot soxty and ten
When thay fyrst cam In to thys land ;
Sythen have sojerned in Gersen
Four hundred wynter , I dar warand;
Now ar thay noA^Tubred of myghty men
Moo then ccc thousand ,
Wythe outen wyfe and ehyld,
Or hyrdes that kepe thare fee.
Pharao.
How thus myjyhte we be be^jyled!
Bot shalle it not be;
For wythe quantyse we shalle thajin quelle.
So that thay schalle not far sprede.
Primus Miles.
My Lord, we have hard oiu'e faders telle.
And elerkes that welle couthe rede,
Ther shuld a man walk us amelle
That shuld fordo us and oure dede.
Pharao.
Fy on hjin , to the devylle of helle ,
Sych destyny ^vylle we not drede ;
We shalle make myd^\-j'fes to spylb' Ihem
AVhere any Ebrew is borne,
And alb" meukynde to kylle them ,
So shalle thay soyn be lorne.
And as for elder have I none awe ,
Syche bonda{;e shalle I to thejTii beydc.
To dyke and delf, here and draw.
And to <bi all iinboiiest devde ;
90 MIRACLE -rtAYS.
So slialle these lailcles be holdeu law ,
In thraldom ever thare lyfe to Icyde.
Secundns Miles.
Now, certes, thys was a sotelle saw.
Thus shalle these folk no farthere sprede.
Pharao.
IVow help to liald theyui downe,
Look I no fayntues fynde.
Pviinns Miles.
Alle redy, Lord, Ave shalle he howne ,
In bondage thayni to bynde.
[Tunc intrat Jfloyses cum virfjii in tuanu , etc,]
3Ioyses.
Gret God , that alle thys Avarld began ,
And growndyd it in good degre ,
Thou luayde me, Moyses, unto man,
And sythen thou savyd me from the se ,
Kyug Pharao had commawndyd than
Ther shuld no man chyld savyd be ;
Agans liys wylle away I wan;
Thus has God showed hys might for me.
Now am I set to kepe.
Under thys montayri sydc ,
Bysehope Jettyr shepe ,
To better may betyde,
A , Lord , grete is thy myght !
What man may of yond mervelle meyn?
Yonder I se a selcowth syght,
Syche on in warld was never seyn ;
A bush I se biu'uand fulle bryght,
And ever elyke the leyfes ar greyn ,
If it be wark of warldely wyght,
I wylle go wyt wythoutyn wcyn.
Dens.
Moyses! Moyses!
[Itic piofiernt a.l rnhuin. et (licit ci Deux. —
07
Moyses cum not to n(>r4>.
Bot stylK' in Ihat steil.' IIkmi .Iwcllo.
Ami harkyii unto me hero ;
Take tent what I the telle.
Do of thy shoj es in fere .
Wyth mouth as I the melle;
The plaee thou standes in there,
Forsoth, Is halowd \velle.
I am thy Lord, >vithouten lak.
To lengthe thi lyfe even as I lysl;
I am God that som tyme spake
To thyn elders, as thay wyst;
To Ahraham , and Isaae ,
And Jaeoh, I sayde shnlde he hlyst ,
And muliUude of them to make.
So that Ihare seyde shuld not he myst.
Bui now thys kynj}-, Pharao .
He hurtys my folk so fast.
If that I siitlre hyni so ,
Thare seyde shuld soyne he past ;
Bot I ^v^lle not so do ,
In me if thay ^vylle trasl
Bondajje t<) hryn{ye thayni fro.
Therlor (lion j-o in hast ,
To do my messajjc have in mynde
To h>iu , that me syche harme mase ;
Thou speke to hym Avythe Avordes heynd<
So that he let my people pas
To wyldernes, that thay may \veyn«le
To worshyp me as I n-ylle asse.
Agans my uylle if that thay leynd,
Ful soyn hys sonj; shalle he, alas.
A, Lord I pardon me, wylli Jhy levf,
Th«t lynafje luflfes me no)rht;
rrladly tliay wold me ;;r."vf.
7
j^ MIRACLE -PLAYS.
If I syclio l)0(lworde broght.
Good Lord, lette som otliere frast,
Thai lias more fors the folke to fere.
Dens.
Moyses , be thou nott abast ,
My l)ydyn{>; shalle thou l»ohlly here;
If thay wyth \vron[;- away Avoid wrast ,
On It of the way I shalle the were.
Moyses.
Good Lord , thay wylle not me trast
For alle the othes that I can swere;
To neven sych noytes new
To folk of wykyd wylle ,
Ai Wyth outen tokyn trew,
Thay wylle not tent ther tylle.
Dens.
If that he wylle not understand
Thys tokyn trew that I shalle sent ,
Afore the kyng" east down thy wand.
And it shalle turne to a serpent ;
Then take the taylle ajyane in hand.
Boldly up look thou it bent.
And in the state thou it fand
Thou shal it turne by myne intent.
Sythen bald thy hand soyn in thy barme .
And as a lepre it shal be lyke ,
And bole ag-ane with outen barme ;
Lo , my tokyns shal be slyke.
And if be wylle not suffi'e then
My people for to pas in peasse ,
I shalle send venyanee ix or ten,
Shalle sowe fulle sore or I seassc.
Bot ye Ebrewes , won in Jessen ,
Shalle not be merkyd with that measse ;
As long- as thay my lawcs wylle ken
Thare eomforthe shalle ever inereasse.
IM)
A, LonK t«> hit' the aj;'lit iis uclli*
That inakos thi folk tlius I'vev ;
I sliallf unto (iiayio tolle
As (lioii has told to mo.
Bot to the kynj}- , Lord , y\\\on I com ,
If he aske wliat is thy name ,
And I stand slylle , hoth deyf and dom
How shuhl I skape nithoutlen lilame ?
Dens.
I say the thns, K(fo sum rfid skih ,
1 am he that is the same ;
If thou can nether muf nor mom ,
I shalle sheld the ft-om shame.
J/r>/y.ye.v.
I understand fulle Avelle tliys thynjj-;
I {JO, Lord, with alle the niyjjht in me.
Deits.
Be l»oUl in my hlyssyuj; ,
Thi socoure shalle I he.
Moyses.
A, Lord of hif, leyn me thy lare.
That I may truly lalys telle :
To my freyudes now wylle I fare.
The eln»syii I'liildre of lsr;u-llc.
To telle llieym eomCorllie of (li.iic care,
In dawnfjerc ther as thay dwclle.
God manteyn you evermarc ,
And nH'kvlI(> invrlhe Ix' ;yoii cnielle.
I'rinius Put')'.
A, master .Aloyses, dcre!
Om'e myrlhe is alle mowroyn;;';
Ftdlc hard hahlen ar we here ,
As earls under the kvn::.
100 MIRACLE - PI.AYS.
SecuHfliis Pner.
We may mowru, ])oth more and myn ,
Tber is uo man that oiue myrth mase;
Bot syn we ar alle of a kyn
God send us eomfortli in thys ease.
Moxjses.
Biellieie , of youie mowrnyng: Myn,
God wylle delyver you thrughe his graee;
Out of this wo he wylle you wyn,
And put you to youre pleassyng: plaee ;
For I shall e earp unto the kyng- ,
And fownd fidle soyn to make you free.
Primus Pner.
God g:rant you good weyndyng , / i
And evermore with you he.
Mmjses.
Kyng Pharao, lo me take tent.
PlKirno.
Why, hoy, what tythynges ean thou telle?
Moijses.
From God hyni self hyder am I sent
To foche the chyUlre of Israelle;
To wyldernes he wold thay went.
Pharao.
Yei, weynd the to the devylle of hclle ;
I gyf no foree what he has ment ;
In my dangere, herst thou, shalle thay dwelle
And , fature , for thy sake ,
Thay shalbe pent to pyne.
3Ioijses.
Then wylle God venyance take
Of the , and of alle thyn.
Pharao.
On me? fy on the lad, out of my land!
Wenys Ihoii thus lo loysc <>ur<' lay ?
101
S;i> . >\lu'iic«' is joiul u.irlow willi liis w.tnil
Thai llius »(»ltl >v^l<> onvr folk a\\;iy V
Primus Myles.
Yond is Moyses, I d:a- waraiul,
Ayaiis alle Ejfypl has lieyii ay ;
Greatt tlefawte ^vith hym youre fader land ;
IVow wylle lie mar you if lie may.
Phardo.
Fy on hym! nay, nay, that daw noc is done;
Liu'dan , thou loryd to late.
3Ioyses.
iiod hydes the {jrauut my bone,
And let me }>o my jjale.
Pfidrno.
Itych's God me? I'als loselle , thou lyse !
\Vhat loliyn lohl he? lake thou tent.
Moyses.
lie sayd thou shuhl dyspyse
Both me , and hys eommauntlement ;
Forlhy , apon thys wyse ,
My ^\and lie had, in thi present,
1 shuld lay dowue , and the avyse
How il shuld turne to oone serpent.
And in hys holy name
Here I lay it dow ne ;
Lo , syr, here may th(m se Ihe same.
I'harao.
A. ha, d(»j; ! Hie «h'ville the diuNMie !
J/oj/.SV'.V.
He had me take It l>y the laNlle.
For lo prefe hys powere plaMi .
Then say«le, ^vyllioufeii Caylle.
II>I shuld to a uand aj;a> n.
Lo, sli-. ImI.oI.I
10<2 Mll^\<.L^:-^I.v^s.
I'/mran.
\V>Hi \[ .. Ii.inII.- !
(;«rt«^ this is a solellf swajn ;
lUtt thjse l»(>yes slialle ahydo in I».in1I<'.
Alio tlii (i^audos shallo thaym not |;a>ii;
Bot >vars, Itotli nionu* ami iiniu',
Shallc tbay lart- , for ll.i saKr.
I i»r,i> (iod >«'ml lis \i'ii>anj;4- soiic.
And (.n 111! u.iiK.-s t d.c >M;d.<'.
I'n'miis Milrs.
Alas, alas! this laud is Ionic!
Oil lyle uf miy [no] loii|ytT Irynd ;
Syclie uiyscbefo is fallen syn morne ,
TluT may nn infils\ ii it annml.
rhaviin.
Why cry vc so? laddcs, lyst yc skornc?
Si'cnndus Miles.
Syr k>nj|, sychc «Mrc was nc\cr hmd ,
In no mans tymc tlial c\cr was Ixuni-.
/'/iiirnn.
TclU' on. Im'InI'c. and make an end.
Primus Miles.
S>r, the nalers that were ordand
For men and hcstes foyde ,
Thrn|;he ontt alio E(]^pt land,
Ar turnyjl into roedc bloyde ;
Fulle n;;ly and fnlle y^P is '"vn.
That hothe freshe and fayre was iiclorc.
l*/nir<i().
O , ho I this is a >vonderfulle lhyn|; to ")••,
Of all the warkes that ever wore.
Seen lift US Miles.
Xay . Lord, thcr is anolhcre >il.
That sodaiily sowys us fulle sor«' ;
I or
For totles and froskes may no man fly I,
Thay venom us so, bothe les and more.
Primus Miles.
Greatte mystes, sir, there is botlic muriio and noyn.
Byte us fulle bytterly :
We trow that it be done
Thi'ugfhe Moyses, oure grreatte eimiy.
Seciindiis Miles.
My Lord , l)ot if this meuye may remef'e ;
Mon never myrtho l)e us amang-.
Pharao.
Go , say to hym we wylle not grefe ,
Bot thay shalle never tlie tjtter gayng-.
Primus Miles.
Moyses, my Lord {jyffys leyfe
To leyd thi folk to lykynj}- Jang-,
So that we mend of oure myschefe.
Moyses.
Fulle welle, I wote , thysc wordes ar nranj; ;
Bot hardely alle that I heytt
Fulle sodanly it shalle be seyn :
Uncowth mervels shalbe meyt
And he of malyee meyn.
Secundns Miles.
A, Lord, ahjs, for doylle we dy !
We dar look oute at no dowre.
Pharao.
What, rajjyd the dwylle of helle, alys you so to ery ?
Primus Miles.
For we fare wars then ever we fowre ;
Grete loppys over alle this land thav fly ,
And where thay byte thay make grete bloure,
And in every place oure bestes dede ly.
Secundus Miles.
Ilors , ox, and asse ,
Thay fallr dnwne dede, syr , sodanlv.
1 0^ MIRACLE - I'L A \ S,
P/tarao.
We, lo , flier is no man thai has
Half as myche harme as I.
Primus Miles.
Yis , sir , pooi'e folk have mekylle wo ,
To se thare catalle thus out cast.
The Jues iu Gcsseii fayre not so ,
Thay have lyhyuj'- for to last.
Pharao
Then shalle avc gyf theym leyf to }«o
To tyme this perolle l)e oii past ;
Bot, or thay flytt oyht far us fro,
We shalle them bond twyse as fast.
Secnndus Miles.
Moyses , my Lord j'yffes leyf
Thi meueye to remeve.
3Ioi/ses.
Ye mon hafe more mysehefe
Bot if thyse talys he trew.
Primus Miles.
A , Lord , we may not leyde thyse lyfys.
Pliarao.
What, dwylle, is grevance grofeu ajjayn ?
Secuiiflus 3Iiles.
Ye, sir, sich powder apon us dryfys,
W^here it abides it makes a blayn;
Meselle makes it man and wyfe ;
Thus ar we hurl with haylle and rayn.
Syr, unys iu montanse may not ihryfe ,
So has frost and thoner thaym slayu.
Pharao.
Yei , bot how do thay in Gessen ,
The Jues , can ye me say ?
Primus Miles.
Of alle Ihese cares no thyiijj- thay ken ,
Thay fcyllc no;>hlc of our afrav.
iO»
Pharao.
]\o ? the rayyd, the dnylle, sytl thay in peasse ?
And we every day in doute and tli'ede ?
Secitndus Miles.
My lord , this care will ever encrese ,
To Moyses have his folk to leyd;
Els he we lornc , it is no lesse ,
Yit were it hetter that thai yede.
Phavao.
Thes folk shall flyt no far,
If he go welland ^vode.
Primus Miles .
Then wille it sone he war ,
It were hetter thay yode.
SecuHclus Miles.
My lord, new haruie is eomyn in hand.
Pharao.
Yei , dwille, wille it no hetter he?
Primus Miles.
AVyld wornies ar layd over all this land.
Thai leyf no floure , nor leyf on trc.
Seeundus Miles.
Ajjans that storme may no man slande ;
And mekylle more mervelle thynh me ,
Thatt these iij dayes has hene durand
Siche myst, that no man may other se.
Primus Miles.
A , my Lord !
Pharao.
IIa{.he !
Seeundus Miles.
Grete pestilence is eomyn ;
It is like fui lonjj- to last.
Pharao.
IVslilcncc ? ill Ihc d\\iljs n.ime !
Then is otirc pride uwv j»;ist.
I0(» Mill V( I.E - I'l.AYS.
/'n'miis Miles.
My Lord. (Iiis caio l;ist«'s lan{j: ,
Aii«l uille to Moyscs li:iv<> his Itoiio :
Lot liyiii j;o , els %v>rk wo «raiij|-.
It may not li<'l|» to liovcr no Imiu'.
I*ltav(in.
'I'licn willc we j|il' tlicyin Icyf to |;ain;
Syn it iniist ikmIos !»«• (loyii ;
l*«Tohauiis \v«' shalh' tliavin t'aiij;
Ami mar llicin or to inornc at noiir.
Secttndus MHi-s.
.Mojsos, luy lonl lu* says
Thou shnlle have passaj^o playii.
Mmjues.
'Sow have we K'fc to pas .
My froymlcs , now lie yv fa\n;
<iOiu I'lirthi*; iio^v sliallo ye «eyinl
To land of Ijkynjy you to pay.
I*rnniis Puev.
Hot l»yn[»- Pharao , that I'als foMMl.
lie will us elt hetray :
Fiille soyn he wilh- shape lis to nIicmkI
And after us send his j;array.
MoifSCS.
Wv not ahast. God is oure lieynd.
And alle oure foes wille slay ;
Therfor com on with me ,
Have done and di'ede you no{jht.
Sccundiis Puer.
That Lord hlyst mij;ht he be ,
That us from hayllc has hrog'ht.
Pvimits Puer.
Siehe frenship never we land ;
Hot yit I drede for perels alle ,
The Heede See is here at hand ,
Ther shal ^vi> }»>dr to we he tlirallr.
107
Moyses.
I shallc make nay ther with my waud ,
As God has sayde , to sayf us alle ;
On ayther syde the see mon stand,
To we be gone , right as a walle.
Com on w^ih me, leyf none behynde ,
Lo fownd ye now youre God to pleasse.
\_IIic pertransietit mare.]
Secundus Piier.
O, Lord! this way is heynd ;
INow weynd vis all at easse.
Primus Miles.
Kyng Pharao ! thyse folk ar gone.
Pharao.
Say , ar ther any noyes new ?
Secundus Miles.
Thise Ebrews ar gone , lord , everiehon.
Pharao.
How says thou that?
Primus Miles.
Lord, that taylle is trew.
Pharao.
We , out tyte , that they were tayn :
That ryett radly shall thay rew ;
We shalle not seasse to thay be slayn.
For to the see we shall thaj-m sew ;
So charge yoiU"e chariottes scythe ,
And fersly look ye folow me.
Secundus Miles.
Alle redy , lord , wc ar fidle blythe
At youre byddyng to be.
Primus Miles.
Lord, at yoiire byddyng ar we bowne
Oiu'c bodys boldly for to beyd ;
We shalle not seasse . l)o( dyng alle downe
To alle be dede withouten drcde.
MIRACLE -I'LAYS.
Pharao.
Heyf lip youre Leites unto Mahowiie ,
He wiUe be neie us in oiire nede ;
Help, the rag-gya a„ylle, we dioMne !
IVow mon we dy for alle ome dede.
iTunc merfjet eos mnrc.^
Moyses.
IVow ar we won from alle oure >vo ,
And savyd out of the see ;
Lovyn{v gyf ^e God unto ,
Go we to land now merely.
Primus Puer.
Lofe we may that Lord on hyght ,
And ever telle on this mervellej
Brownyd he has Kyng Pharao myght,
Lovyd be that Lord Emanuelle.
Moyses.
Ileven, thou attend, I say in syght;
And erthe my wordys , here what I telle.
As rayn or dew on erthe doys lyght
And waters, herbys , and trees fulle welle ,
Gyf lovyng to Goddes magoste,
Hys dedys ar done, hys ways ar trew.
Honowred be he in trynyte ,
To hym be honowre and verteu.
A M E N.
tXPLICIT PHVRAO.
109
PAS TORES.
Pviniiis l*u.<ttnr.
Lnnl. what llicsc ^Ncdcrs ar cnid , and 1 am \,\\o liappyd ;
I am lU'i-f liandi" dold , so Iohj;- have I iiappxl;
-Afy li'jl^ys ihay fold, my lyuj|ors ar (>lia|i|)vd ,
It is nol as I ^vold . lor I am al lajtpMl
In soro>v.
Ill stormi's and tempest,
Now in the eest, now in the west.
Wo is hym has never rest
Myd «lay nor morow.
Rot we sely shepardes , that walkys on the moore ,
In fayth we are nere handes outt of the doore ;
>'o wonder as it standys if we be poore.
For the tylthe of oure landes lyys falow as the lloore ,
As ye ken.
A> (' are so hamvd.
For taxed and ramvd ,
AVe ar mayde hand taniyd ,
AVitlie thvse {'entlery men.
Thus thay reCe us oure rest. Oure Lady theym warv ,
Tliese men lliat ar l(»rd test thay eaus*- the plojjhe tary.
That men say is Cor the hest we fyntle it eontrary ,
Thus ar hushandes opprest, in point to myseary ,
On lyfe.
Tiius liold tha^ us hniidrr.
Thus thav lirviij}- us in hhinder ,
It were j^reatfe w«»nder .
.Vnd ever shuhl we tliryfe.
For luav lie jn'tl a pay lit sleff- or a hro«-he now on dayes,
W i\ IS liv ni lli.il hym jjrefe, or onvs a|pine sa^s.
D.tr no in.tii Iimu irprele. \\\\;\\ inaslrv lie mays.
ftfO MIRACT-E-PT,\YS.
And yit may no man lofe oone word that he says
IVo letter.
lie eau make purveanee,
With hostc and brajyanee , .
And alle is thrug-he mantenanee
Of men that are gretter.
Ther shalle com a swane as prowdc as a po ,
He must borow my wane , my plojjhe also ,
Then I am fulle fane to graunt or he go.
Thus lyf we in payne , anger , and wo ,
By nyght and day ;
He must have if he langyd,
If I shuld forgfangf it ,
I were better be hang'yd
Then oones say hym nay.
It dos me g:ood , as I walk thus by myn oone ,
Of this warld for to tfdk in maner of mone :
To my shepe wylle I stalk and herkyn anone,
Ther abyde on a balk, or sytt on a stone
Full soyne.
For I^trowe, pai'de ,
Trew men if thay be ,
"\Vc gett more compane >
Or it be noyne.
SecuHflns Pastor.
Benste and Dominus ! what may this bemeyne?
Why fares this warld thus oft have we not sene.
Lord , thyse weders ar spytus , and the weders ftille kene
And the frost so hydus thay water myn eeyne,
No ly.
Now in dry , now in wete ,
IVow in snaw, now in slete.
When my shone freys to my fete
It is not alle esy.
Bol its f;ir as I ken, or yit as I go.
We sely wodmen uio uiekvUe avo ;
tit
Wo have sorow tlion Jind Ihoii, it (;ill>s oil so,
Sely Capj 11 , oiiro lioii , l»oth to and fro
She kakyls.
Bot lje{jjn she to <rok ,
To {jroyne or to cloli ,
Wo is hyui of oure cok ,
For he is in the shekyls.
These men that ar wed have not ajle thare wvlle.
When they ar tulle hard sted thay sNj.hc fulle stylle;
God wayte thay ar led fiille hard and lulle ylle ,
In hower nor in lied thay say noj'ht ther tylle ,
This tyde.
My parte have I fun ,
I know niy^lessun .
Wo is h^TU that is bun,
For he must ahyde.
liot now late in oure lyfys, a marvel to mo.
That I thynk my hart ryfys siche wonders to soo.
What that dostany dryfys it shuld so 1)0 ,
Som men wylle have two wyfys , and soni men thre ,
la store.
Som ar wo that has any;
Bot so far ean I ,
Wo is h>Tn that has many ,
For he felys sore.
Bot yon{f men of wowyng-, for Cod that you bop,ht ,
Bo wello war of wodyng-, and thynk in youre tho{;-ht
«Had I wyst" is a thyn{j it servys of no{>-ht ;
^Irkylle stylle mowrnynjy has wedyuj;- home l»roj;lil
And {j^refj s ,
With manv a sharp sh<»wre .
For thou m.iy eaehe in an owre
That shallo savour fulle sowre
As lonjj as thou lyfiys.
For. as over red I pystylle , I )ui\c ooiic to ni\ fere.
As sharp as thvslvlle . as rujfh as a hrerc .
J^jiJ; MIKACLE- PLAYS,
She is hrowyd lykt* a Ijryslylle, with a sowi'e,loten, chore ;
Had she oones wett hyr wliystyll she couth syng: fulle clere
Hyr pater uoster.
She is as greatt as a vvhalle ,
She has a {falon of jjalle ,
By hym that dyed for us alle !
I wald I had ryii to I lost hir.
Primus Pastor.
God looke over the raw, fulle detly ye stand.
Secnndus Pastor.
Yee , the deville in thi maw , so tariaud ,
Saghe thou awro of Daw?
Primus Pastor.
Yee 5 on a ley land
Hard I hym hlaw , he eommys here at hand ,
Not far;
Stand tylle.
Secundns Pastor.
Qwhy?
Primus Pastor.
For he eommys hope I. • '
SecuHflus Pastor.
He Avylle make us hoth a ly
^ Bot if Ave he Avar.
Terciiis Pastor.
Crystes crosse me spede and Sant IVyeholas,
Ther of had I nede , it is Avars then it Avas.
Whoso couthe take hede, and letl the Avarld pas.
It is ev^er in drede and hrekylle as glas.
And slythys.
This Avarld foAvre never so ,
AVith mervels mo and mo ,
IVoAV in Aveylle, uoav in avo ,
And alle thyng wry thy s.
Was never syn Noe floode sich lloodes seyn,
AVyndes and ranys so rude , and stormes so keyu ,
•'VST(»Hi:s.
its
Soil! slanicrd. sdiii slixl in ilowtc , as I Moyii,
.\o\v Goil liiriu' allc lo jjootl , 1 say as I iiicae.
For poiitk'r.
Those llootlcs so tliay (lr«nMic .
Both iit It'vhles and in lowiic.
And horys allc do\vn<>.
And thai is a ^>oiidci-.
\Ve thal^ walk on llio nyjjhlvs oiire catcHe to kepe,
\Ve s<» sodnn syjjhtes >vhi'n oUuto men slepe :
Vet me thynk my hart lyghles , I so shren^ys pepe ,
Ye ar tuo alle wy^fhtcs, I ^vylle gyl" my shepe
A turne.
Bot Inlle ylle have I mcut.
As I » alk on this l)cut ,
I may ly(>litly repent ,
My toes if I spurne.
A, sir, God you save, aud master myne !
A drynk fayn >vohl I have and somwhat to dyne.
Primus Paslnv.
Crystes eurs , my knave, thou art a ledyr hyiie.
Secundns Pastor.
AVhal, the l)oy lyst rave, ahyde unto syne
AVe have mayde it.
Ylle thr>fte on thy pate!
Thou[>he the shrew cam late
Yit is he in state
To dyne , if he had i(.
Tcrcins Pastor.
Siehe servandes as 1, that sweUys and swynkys ,
Etys oure hreih- fulle drye , anil (hat me rortliviikys ;
We are oft neytt and uery a\ lien master men wynkyj
Yit commys tulle lately holh dyners and diynkys,
Bot nately.
Bothe oure dame and ouie syre.
Allien we have ry u in I lie my re .
H4 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Thay can nyp at oiire byre ,
Anil pay us ftiDe lately.
Bot here my troiithe, master, for the fayr that ye make
I shalle do therafter wyrk , as I take;
I shalle do a lyttUe, sir, and emang: ever lake.
For yit lay my soper never on my stomake
In feyldys.
Wherto shiild 1 threpe ?
With my staff can I lepe,
And men say "lyght chepe
Letherly for yeldes."
Primus Pastor.
Thou were au ylle lad, to ryde on wowyng^
With a man that had hot lytylle of spendyng.
Secundus Pastor.
Peasse boy I bad, no more jangling.
Or I shall make the fulle rad , by the hevens kyng !
With thy gawdys;
Wher ar oure shepe, boy, we skorne?
Tercius Pastor.
Sir , this same day at morue ,
I them left in the corne,
W^hen thay rang lawdys ;
Thay have pasture good, thay can not go wrong.
Primus Pastor.
That is right, by the roode, thyse nyghtes ar long,
Yit I wold , or we yode , oone gaf us a song.
Secundus Pastor.
So I thoght as I stode , to myrth us emong.
Tercius Pastor.
I graunt.
Primus Pastor.
Lett me syng the tenory.
Secundus Pastor.
And I the tryble so hye.
i'vstouks.
IIS
Ifrtiiis l*ii\h>r.
Thfii llu- iuc\iu- fallys to luc ;
Lett so ln»\v ye chauntt.
I 7'i(»if i)ilrul }lf(fi in clamidf \r v»;>pi- lo(/nin iu:\titux.\
Mak.
IN'ow Lortl, lor tli\ ii.iyiiH's sfvcii, llial made l»oll» iiioyu
and starnes
Welle uio llicii I eaii aeveii : tlii wille, Lorde, ol'ine tliariiys ;
I am alle uneven, that moves ol'l my liarnes ,
Now wold God I wow in heven , for Iher wejie no hanies
So slylle.
/'riniiis I'ustof.
Who is that I)y]>ys so poore ?
Mak.
Wold Tiod ye wysl how I f'oore I
Lo a man that waiki-s on the moore .
And has not alle his wylle.
Secundiis Pastor.
Mak, >vhere has thou jjone? tell ns tylhyn|y.
Tcvciiis Pa.sfni:
Is he eommen ? then ylkon take hede to his thing-.
[ t.'l nrn'jiil clumidtiH ah ipso. \
Mak.
What, ieh he a wyoman, I telle you, of the kinj; ;
The self and the same, sond from a jfreatt lordynj;-.
And siche.
Fy on you, {foythc henee.
Out of my presenee,
I must have reverence ,
Why , w ho hi" iche ?
Primus Pasfor.
Why make ye it so (pvaynt? Mak, ye do wrang.
Seciindiis Pastor.
Bot, Mak, lyst ye saynt? I trow thai ye lan{|[-.
Tcrcins Pastor.
I trow the shrew can ))avnt. the den vile niAi;ht hym hanp, !
4|B MlRArXE-PL4YS.
3Iak.
Icli sliallo make eomplayiit, and make you alle to th\van{;
A( a Avorde,
And tell evya how ye doth.
Primus Pastor.
Bot Mak, is that sothe ?
Now take outt that solhien to the
And sett In a torde.
Secnndus Pastor.
Mak , the de^ville in your ee , a stroke wold I leyne you.
Tercius Pastor.
3Iak, know ye not me? l)y God I eouthe teyle you.
Mak
God looke you alle Ihre , me thought I had sene you.
Ye ar a Tare eompane.
Primus Pastor.
Can ye now mene you?
Secundns Pastor.
Shrew , jape j
Thus late as thou goys ,
What wyllc men suppoys ? . ,j^'.
And thou has an yllc noys
Of stelyng of shepe.
Mak.
And I am trew as steylle alle men waytt ,
Bot a sekenes I feylle that haldes me fulle haytt,
My helly farys not weylle, it is out of astate.
Tercius Pastor.
Seldom lyys the dewylle dede by the gate.
Mak.
Therfore
Fulle sore am I and ylle,
If I stande stone stylle ;
I ete not an nedylle
Thys monetli and more.
Primus Pastor.
How farys thi wyff? by my hoode , how farys sho ?
I'^STOHliS.
117
Mak.
Lyys walteryu{> , hy the roode , hy the fyere lo ^
And a howse fulle oK luiide, she drynkys welle to,
Ylle spede othere jjood that she wylle do;
Bot so
Etys as fast as she can ,
And ilk yere that commys to man ,
She hrynges ftirthe a lakau,
And som yeres two.
Bot were I not more gracyus , and rychere hefai- ,
I Avere eten outt of hoAvse, and of hai-bar ,
Yit is ske a fowlle dowse , if ye com nar :
Ther is non that trowse , nor knowys a war ,
Then ken I.
Xow wylle ye se what I profer ,
To gyf alle in my cofer
To morne at next to offer
Her hed mas penny.
Srcmidtts Pastor.
I wote so forwakyd is none in this shyre :
I wold slepe if I takyd les to my liyere.
Tercius Pastor.
I am cold and nakyd, and wold have a fyere.
Primus Pastor,
I am wery for rakyd , and run in the myre.
Wake thou !
Secundus Pastor.
Nay, I wylle lyg downe hy,
For I must slepe ir;ily.
Tercius Pastor.
As good a manys son was I
As any of you.
Bot, Mak, com heder, hetwene shalle thou lyg downe.
Mak.
Then niyght I letl you bedene : of th;if ye wold row ne,
Xo drede.
#f® MIR \r,LK- PLAYS.
Fro my top to luj loo
Manns tiias commendo
Pontio Ptlato,
Cryst crossc me spede.
[Time snr^i't , pnstorihii.s (loriiiiriitibus , el flicil
IVow Avere tyme for a man, lliat lakkys Avhat he wold.
To stalk prively than unto a told ,
And noemly to wyrk tlian, and be not to bold.
For he myght aby the barjjfin , it" it were told
At the endynj}-.
IVow were tyme tor to reylle;
Bot he nedes jjood eonnselle
That fayn Avoid fare weylle ,
And has bot lytylle spendynj}-.
Bot abowte you a serkylle , as rownde as a moyn ,
To I have done that I wylle, tylle that it be noyn ,
That ye lyg: stone stylle, to that I have doyne ,
And I shall say thertylle of good wordes a foyne.
On bight
Over youre heydes my hand I lyft,
Outt g^o youre een, fordo your syght,
Bot yit I must make better shyft ,
And it be right.
Lord! Avhat thay slepe hard, that may ye alle here;
Was I never a shepard, bot now wylle I lere.
If the flok be skard, yit shalle I nyp nere.
How drawcs hederward: now meudes oure chere
From soroAV :
A fatt shepe I dar say ,
A good flese dar I lay,
Eft whyte when I may ,
Bot this wille I borow.
How, Gylle , art thou in? Gett us som lyghl.
Uxor Ejus.
Who makys sieh dvn this tyme <•! the nyght ?
I am sett for (o spyn: 1 hope iiol I niM;lit
PASTORES.
19
Rysc a penny to wyn : I shrew lliem on klj>lil.
So I'arys
A huswyfl' that has bene
To l)e rasyd thus betweue :
There may no note be sene
For sieh smalle eharys.
JIak.
Good wyfT, open the hek. Seys thou not what I brynjj;'?
Uxor.
I may thole the dray the snek. A, com in, my swetyng-.
Mak.
Yee , thou thar not rek of my long- standynjj-.
Uxor.
By tlie nakyd nek art thou lyke for to hyiij'-.
Mnk.
Do «ay :
I am worthy my mete,
For in a stratc can I gett
More then thay that swynke and swctte
Alle the long: day.
Thus it fclle to my lot , Gylle , I had sich grace.
Uxor.
It were a fowlle blott to be banged for the case.
Mak.
1 have skapyd, Jelott , oft as bai'd a glase.
Uxor.
"B(»t so long govs (he pott to the water," men says,
At last
Comys it home broken. "
Mnk.
Welle knowe I the token .
Bot let it never be spoken;
Bot com and help fast.
I wold he were flayn ; I lyst well ete :
This twelmolhe was I not so fayn of oone shepe mete.
120
MIUACLE -PLAYS.
Uxor.
Com thay or be be slayn , and bere tbe sbepe blete ?
Mak.
Tboii inygbt I bo tane : tbat were a eobl swette.
Go spar
Tbe gaytt doore.
Uxor.
YisMak,
For and (bay eoni at tby bab.
Mak.
Tlien mygbt I l)y for alle tbe pal;
Tbe dewille of tbe war.
Uxor.
A g-ood bowrde bave I spied, syn tbon can none:
Here sballe ^^e bym byde , to tbay lie {|one ;
In my credylle abyde. Lett me alone.
And I sballe lyjj- besyde in ebylbed and grone.
Mak.
Thou red;
And I sballe say tbon was lygbt
Of a knave cbilde tbis nyji-bt.
Uxor.
Now welle is me day brl{>bt,
Tbat ever I was bred.
Tbis is a jj^ood jryse and a far cast ;
Yit a woman avyse belpys at tbe last.
I wote never wbo spyse: agane go tbon fast.
Mak.
Bot I com or tbay ryse , els blawes a cold blast.
I wylle go slepe.
Yit slepys alle tbis meneye,
And I sballe go stalk prevely.
As it had never bene I
Tbat caryed tbare sbepe.
l*l\
I'rhntfs l*it\fi>r.
Resiirrrx it iiiorfniis : li;nc lialil inv li.-ind.
Judas ciiruns ilininniis , I i\\,\\ iiol >\«'II<' sl.iud:
My foyll slopys, l»y Jesus, and I water fastaiid.
I Ihoj'ht that no layd us fulle lu-rc Yii{«Iaii(l.
ScciDuIiis Pastor.
A N (• !
Lord! uhal I liave slt']>t ^^('yll(';
As I'resli as an oyllf ,
As lyj.lil I me Ceylli-
As le>le on a Ire.
Trvcius Ptisfor.
Benste he Iiere in. So my qwakys
My hart is outt of skyn, nhat so it makys.
AVho makys allc this dyn ? S(> my liron cs hlakys ,
To the doMore wvlle I wyn. Ilarke felons, nakys!
We n ere fowre :
Se ye an re of M.-,k n<.n ?
Pyiinus Pastor.
We nere n|) or ihou.
Srcifttfliis Pastor.
.Han. I );%!' («()d a voAve .
Yil \ed(' he nan I'c.
Tcrciits Pastor.
^le thojfhf he ^vas hijit in a noll'e skyn.
l*iiniiis Pastor.
So are manv hapl nun namely nitliin.
Sfiini/tits Pastor.
AVhen ne had htn(; napf ; nw Ihnjjiil nilh a jf^ n
A fatt sliepe he frapl , hot he mayde no <1\ n.
rcrriiis Pastor.
«e sly lie:
Thi drenn' makes the \voode :
It is hot laiiloni . hv flie rtuide.
USBm MIR AtXK - PLAYS.
Primus Pastor.
IVovv God tiirne alle to jfood ,
If it he his Avylle.
SecmKiiis Pastor.
Rysc , Mak , for shame ! thou lyyes right laaj;.
3Iak.
IVow Crystes holy uamt' he us emaiig- ,
What is this for ? Sant Jauie ! I may not welle gang.
I trow I l)e the same. A ! my nek has lygen wrang
Euoghe.
Mekille thank, syn yister even
IVow, hy Sant Strevyn!
I was flayd with a swevyn
My hart out of sloghe.
I thoght Gylle hegan to crok , and travelle fulle sad,
Wehier at the fyrst cok, of a yong lad.
For to mend oure flok: then he I never glad.
I have tow on my rok , more then ever I had.
A , my heede !
A house fulle of yong tharmes.
The dewille knok outt thare harnes
Wo is hym has many l)arnes ,
And therto lylylle hrede. *
I must go home, hy youre lefe , to Gylle as I thoght.
I IH">y you look my slefe, that I steylle noght :
I am loth you to grefe , or from you take oght.
Tercitis Pastor.
Go furth, ylle myght thou ehefe , now wold I we soghl.
This morne,
I'hat we had alle oure store.
Primus Pastor.
Bol I wille go l)efore ,
Let us me(e.
Sccandus Pastor.
Whore V
Tcrcins Pastor.
At thr crokvd fhorne.
I'A.STOUKS.
125
Mnk.
L ado this dooifl \\ho is hero '.' how Ioiij; sluilU- Island?
L'xor KJHS.
Who in.ikvs sich a here? now walkf in (he \M'n\and.
Mcik.
A. tivll*', ^^ha^ choro ? it is I, Mah . youro hiisltaiKic.
Vxitr.
TluMi Hiav wi- he here, llie dcwillc in a hand*'.
Syr liyk'. '
Lo , he conimys with a loto
As 111* were hohlen in the throtc.
1 may not syt at luy note,
A hand lanj^ >\liil('.
Mak.
\Vyll«' }e \nvv \\liat fare she uiakvs to j;et hir a {jlose ,
And do nojjht hut hikvs and ehi>\se liir loose.
L'xnv.
Why. who ^vanders, \\ ho wakys, who comys, whojjose?
Who hr<M\>s. A\ ho hakvs? ^^llat makes me thus hose?
And than
It is rewthe to l»e hohle ,
Xow in hole . now in coldc ,
Fulle wofulle is the househohle
That wants a woman.
Bot ^>hat eiulf lias (hou inaNde with the h>rdys. Mak?
Mak.
The last worde that tliay sa>de. \\ hen I liirnyd my hak,
Thay wold looke thai thay have thare sliepe alle the pak.
I hope thav wvlle not he welle payde, wlien thay thare shepe lak.
IVrde.
Bot how so the {jam {fose.
To me they wylle suppose.
And make a loulle no>se.
And ir\ (Milt apiin luc.
Rot thoii niiist do as Ihoii In-hl.
$B& MIRACr.K- PLAYS.
Uxor.
I accorde me tliertylle.
I shalle swcdylle liym right in my oredylle.
If it were a grretter slyght, yit coutbe I helpe tylle.
I ^vylle ]yg dowiie stright. Cora hap mo.
Mak.
I wylle.
Uxor.
IJeliyndc.
Cora Colic and his raaroo,
Thay wylle nyp us fulle naroo.
3fak.
Bot I raay cry out haroo.
The sliepe if thay fynde.
Uxoi:
Harken ay when thay ealle : thay wille com anone.
Cora and make redy alle , and syng- hy thyn oone ,
Syng lullay thou shalle , for I must grone ,
And cry outt hy the walle on 3Iary and John ,
For sore.
Syng 111 Hay on fast
\\ hen thou heris at the last ;
And hot I play a fals cast
Trust ine no more.
Tercius Pastor.
A, (](d!e, goode morne : why slepys thou nott ?
Primus Pastor.
Alas, that ever was I borne! we have a fowlie hlot.
A fat wedir have we lorne.
Tercius Pastor.
3Iary, Codes forholtl
Secundus Pastor.
Who sliuld do us Ihat skorne ? that were a fowlie spoil.
Primus Pastor.
Some shrewe.
I have soghl with my doges.
PASrOKK.S. I2i>
Alio Ilorliery sliroges.
And of w h«>j;«'s
Foiul 1 hot «)OIU' «MVO.
Terciiis Pastov.
INo^v tiiMV iiir if }!' «'ille; l)y Saiit Thoiuus of lii-iil I
Aytlirr M.ik or (i>lle >vas al llial assent.
Primus Pastor.
Peasse , man, lie stille ; I sa{>li when he Avenl.
Thou sklaiuiers hym yllc; thou ajjhl lo repent.
Goo«le speile.
Secnnfii(s Pastor.
Now as ever uiyght I the,
If I shuld evyn here ilc ,
I wold say it were he,
That dyd that same dede.
Tercius Pastor.
Go we theder I rede , and ryn on oure feete.
Shalle I never ete hredc- , the sothe to I wytt.
Primus Pastor.
>'or (lr>nk in my lieede ^vith hym tylle I mete.
Secundus Pastor.
I wylle rest in no stede , tylle that I hym grete ,
My hro there
Oone I wille hijjht :
Tylle I se hym in sijjht
Shalle I never slepe one ny{jht
Ther I do anothere.
Tercius Pastor.
Wille ye here how thay hak, oiire syre, iyst , eroyne.
Primus Pastor.
Hard I never none erak so clere out of toyne.
Calle on hym.
Secutidus Ptistor.
Mak ! undo youre ditore snyne.
mm^ MIMACI.E - PLAYS.
J/rtA.
\Vlio is (liat spak , as it were iioyue?
On loft,
Who is that I say?
Tet'ciiis Pastor.
Goode felowse, were it day. -<
Mak.
As far as ye may,
Good, spekes soft
Over a seke womans heede, that is at maylle easse,
I had lever be dede or she had any dyseasse.
Uxor.
Go to an othere stede j I may not welle qvveasse.
Ich fote that ye trede goys thorow my nese
So hee.
Primus Pastor.
Telle us , Mak , if ye may ,
How fare ye, I say?
3Iak.
Bot ar ye in this towne to day ?
]\ow how fai'e ye ?
Ye have ryn in the myre, and ar weytt yil :
I shalle make you a fyre, if ye wille syt.
A nores wold I hyre ; thynk ye on yit,
Welle qwitt is my hyre , my dreme this is itt
A seson.
I have harnes if ye knew ,
W^ellc mo then enewe ,
Bot we must drynk as we brew,
And that is bot reson.
I wold ye dynyd ar ye yode : me thynk that ye swette.
Secimdus Pastor.
Nay, nawlhcr mendys oure mode, drynke nor mette.
Mak.
Why, sir, alys you ojfht bot j'oodo ?
197
Terciiis Pastof.
Yes, our sIh'jh' tliat n<' {!<'•*,
Ar stollyii ;»s thay yodo. Oure los is }jroHr.
Mak.
Syrs , drynkos.
Had I hoiw thore
SouK" shiild liavo ho^jLt il lull*' sore.
Pvimns Pustov.
Mary , some men trowes that ye wore ,
And that us forthyukcs.
Secundus Pastor.
Mali , some men trowes that il shuld he ye.
Terciiis Pastor.
Ayther yc or youre spouse ; so say we.
Mak.
I\ow if ve have suspowse to Gille or to me ,
Com and rype oure howse. and then may ye se
AMio had hir.
If I any shepe fott,
Aythor eow or stott.
And Gylle , my wyfe , rose nott
Here syn she lade hir.
As I am and true and lele , to God here I pi'ay.
That this he the fyrst mele that I shalle ete this day.
Primus Pastor.
Mak , as have I ceylle , aryse the , I say ,
He lernyd lymely to steylle that eouth not say nay.
I xor.
I swell.
Outt. thefys , fro my wouvs !
Ye com to roh us for the nonys.
Mak.
Here ye not how she {|ronys ?
Your harlys shuld melt.
I'xor.
Outt . thefys , I'm mv harne ! nejjh hym not thore.
128
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
3Iak.
Wyst ye how she had Tarne , yoiire hartys wold he sore.
Ye do wraiig: , I you warne , that thus commys hefore
To a w^omau that has fame; hot I say no more.
Uxor.
A my medylle !
I pray to Gotl so mylde,
If ever I you hegyld ,
That I ete this chylde.
That lyjjes in this credylle.
Mak.
Peasse, woman, for Godes payn, and cry not so:
Thou spyllys thy braue, and makes me fulle wo.
Secundus Pastor.
I Irow oure shepe be sL'iyu , what fiude ye two ?
Tercius Pastor.
Alle wyrk we in vayn : as welle may we j>o.
But hatters
I can fynde no flesh ,
Hard nor nesh.
Salt nor fresh ,
Bot two tome platers.
Whik catelle l)ot this , tame nor wylde ,
IVoue, as have I hlys , as lowde as he smylde.
Uxor.
IVo, so God me blys, and };yf me joy of my chylde.
Primus Pastor.
We have marked amys : I hold us begyld.
Secundus Pastor.
Syr, don.
Syr, oiu-e lady hym save.
Is youre chyld a knave?
3Iak.
Any lord myght hym have
This chyld to his son.
When he wakyns he kyppys, that joy is to se.
i'\sTonEs. 129
Trrciits Pastor.
Ill {'ood tyiue l<» hys Ijyppys, ami iit eiAc.
Bol \\\\u was liys iJ^^ssyppys, so soiio rode?
Mak.
So far.' lall." Ilian- lypps.
Primus Pdsfor.
Hai'k no« , a lo.
So God thayin thank ,
I*arkyn. and Gylioii AVallcr, I say,
And j;«'nlill(' J«»lin Home, in {jood fay,
lie made alio the {jarray ,
With Ike {.realt shank.
Sccinidiis Pastor.
Mak , froyndes ^ville ^\o be , for we are alle oone.
3Iak.
We now I hah! for me, for mendes gett I none.
Fare welle all thre: allc {jlad were ye jyone.
Tercius Pastor.
Fare wordes may iher l)e, hut luf Iher is none
This yerc.
Prim us Pastor.
Gaf ye the chyhl any thynj;?
Scciindns Pastor.
I trow not oone farlhyn;;.
Tercius Pastor.
Fast ajyayne wille I flyng- ,
Ahytle ye me there.
Mak, take it to no {yrefe, if I eoni lo llil harne.
MaL
\ay, thou does me |;reatl reprefle, and fowlle has thou fame.
Tercius Pastor.
The child wilie it not j-refe, that lytylle day slarne.
Mak . with youre lefe, let me gyf yonre harne ,
Itot \ j jienee.
9
I^SO^ MIRACLE - PI.AYS.
Mak.
IVay, do way: he slcpys.
Tercius Pastor.
Mc tLynk he pcpys.
Mak. =>"^'^' ■"'
When he wakyns he wepys.
I pray you go hence.
Tercius Pastor.
Gyf me lefe hym to kys, and lyft up the clowtt.
What the dewille is this? he has a long- snowte.
Primus Pastor.
lie is markyd aniys. We wate ille ahowte.
Secundiis Pastor.
Ille spon weft, iwys , ay eonimys foulle owte.
Ay, so? .'.If <v ;;'?■
lie is lyke to oure shepe.
Tercius Pastor.
How, Gyb, may I pcpe ?
Primus Pastor.
I trow, kynde wille crepe
W^here it may not go.
Secundus Pastor.
This was a qwantte gawde, and a far cast.
It was a hee frawde.
Tercius Pastor.
Yee , syrs , wast.
Lett hren this hawde and hynd hir fast.
A fals skawde hang at the last;
So shall e thou.
W^ylle ye se how Ihay swedyllc
His foiu'c feytt in the medylle ?
Sagh I never in a credylle
A hornyd lad or now.
Mak.
Peasse byd I: what! lett be youre fare;
I am he that hym gatt, and yond Avoman hym bare.
i9»
I'limiiM Pastor.
What .lonlllo shall he hall? Mak . !o V.od Makys nyrv
St'cundiis Pdsinr.
Lei he alio Ihal. Auw God jjyC hMii care.
I sajfh.
I 'xor.
A pially child is hr
As sytles on a woinanys hue ;
A tlylly downe , perde ,
To {jar a man lajjhe.
Tf-rciuM Pastor.
I know hym hy the eere marlio : (ha I is a jyood tokyn.
Mak.
I lelle you, syrs , hark: hys noys was hrokon.
Sythen told me a clerk , that he was forspokyn.
Primus Pastor.
This is a false wark. I wold fayu he wrokyn ;
Gelt wepyu.
Uxor.
He was L-tkyn with an clfe;
f saw it myself.
Uh.Mi the elok stroke Iwelf
Was he forshapyn.
Secuntlus Pastor.
Ye two ar welle fefl , sam in a stcde.
Tercius Pastor.
Syn thay maufeyn thare theft, let do thaym to d.de.
JIak.
If I trespas ell, uyrd of ray heede.
With you wiUe I he left.
Primus Pastor.
Syrs , do my reede.
For this trcs|)as ,
We willc nawlher han ne flyte
Fy{;hl nor ehyte.
Bol have done as lyle
t^lSB MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Aad oast hym in canvas.
Lord! what I am sore, in poyat for to bryst :
In fayth I may no more, therfor wylle I ryst.
Secundiis Pastor.
As a shepe of vij. skore he weyd in my fyst.
For to slepe ay whore, me thyiik that I lyst.
TerciHS Pastor.
Now I pray you ,
Lyg- downe on this grene.
Primus Pastor.
On these theftes yit I mene.
Tercins Pastor.
Wherto shuld ye tene?
Do as I say you.
[AyGELUS cantat 'Gloria in excelsis :" poslea dicat ,
Ryse, hyrd men hejTid, for now is he borne
That shall take fro the feynd that Adam had lorne:
That warloo to shcyiid, this nygbl is he borne.
God is made youre freynd : now at this morne ,
He behestys;
At Bedlem go se ,
Ther lyges that fre
In a cryb fulle poorely,
Betwix two bestj's. -• •'• !^"»''
Primus Pastor.
This was a qwant stevjn that ever yit I hard.
It is a marvelle to nevyn thus to be skard.
Secundus Pastor.
Of Godes son of hevjn he spak up wai'd.
Alle the wod on a levyn me thoght that he gai-d
Appere.
Tercius Pastor.
He spake of a barne
In Bedlem I you warne.
r\sToni:s. lo.»
l*)-iinii.<i Pdstoy.
Thai Ix'tokyns yoii(i<'i' stanie.
Lot us st'kf liyiii there.
St'cimdus Pastor.
Say. whal was liis son{«? hard ye not how he eraKydil?
Thre hrefes to a hui;;-.
Tercins Pastor.
Yce, inary, he hal»l it.
Was no eroehett wronjy, nor no Ihynj;- that lakt it.
Primus Pastor.
For to syii;j us eniouj';, rijjht as lie KuaKl it,
I can.
Seciindtis Pastor.
Let se how ye eroyne.
Can ye l»ark at the nione?
Tcrcins Pastor.
Hold youre lon{]es , have done.
Primus Pastor.
Hark after , than.
Secundus Pastor.
To Bedlam he l)ad that we shuld {janj; :
I am fiille fard thai ^ve tary to Lingf.
Tercius Pastor.
Be merv and not sad: of myrth is oiirc sanff.
Ever laslynj; jflad to mede may we fan{jf,
Wilhoutt noyse.
Primus Pastor.
Ily we theder lor Ihy;
If we I»e wete and wery,
To that ehyld and that kidy
AVe liave it not to slosc.
Sccntidus Pastor.
We fynde l>y tlie prophecy — let be youre dyn —
Of David and Isay, and mo then I myn;
Thay ])rophecyed by clergy , tbat in a vjTgyn
Shuld he lyfyht and ly . to slokvn onre svn
|^|l >IIRACLK-rLAYS.
And slake it,
Oiirc kyutlo from wo ;
For Isay sayd so.
Cite vivfjo
Concipiet a cliyld that is nakyd-
Tercius Pastor.
Fulle glad may wo l)e , and abyde that day
That lufly to se, that alle myghles may.
Lord wclle were me, for ones and for ay,
Myjjht I knele on my kne som word for lo say
To that chylde.
Bot the angel le sayd .. - |l
In a cryb was he layde ;
lie was poorly arayd, ■ -j . ti>.f' :
Both mener and mylde.
Primus Pastor.
Patryarkes that has bene , and prophetes beforne ,
Thay desyrd to have sene this ehylde tliat is borne.
Thay ar gone fulle clene, that have thay lorne.
We shall e se hym , I weyn , or it lie moi-ne
To tokyn.
When I se hym and fele ,
Then wote I fulle weylle
It is true as steylle
That prophetes have spokyn.
To so poore as we ar , that he Avoid appere ,
Fyrst fynd, and declare by his messyngere.
Secundns Pastor.
Go we now , lett us fare : the place is us nere.
Tercius Pastor.
I am redy and yare: go we in fere
To that bright.
Lord ! if Ihi wylles be ,
We ar lewd alle thro ,
Thou grannlt us somkyns gle
l"o comforth thi wight.
P.VSTORES. loi>
Primus Pastor.
Ilayllc ooinly and clciio; liayllo yoii(« cliilill
Ilaylle maker, as I ineyuc, of a uiadyii so niyltlc!
Tlioii has waryd, I >veyiic, Ihe warlo so ^^yldc.
The fals {lylcr of toyn, now j;oys lie ln'j;>ld(>.
Lo , he nii'rys ;
Lo , ho la{jhys , my swclynjf,
A welfare melyujj ,
I have holdcn my helyng:,
Have a hoi) of cherys.
Sccundiis Piislnr.
Ilaylle, siillVran savyojire , for ihoii has us sojyhl!
Ilaylle frely foyde and lloiire , ihal alio ihynj;' has wrojjhl!
Ilaylle fulle of favourc, that made alle of no;;!it!
Habile! 1 liiieylle and I co«rc. A hyrd have I hroyhl
To my harne.
Ilaylle lylylle tyne moj),
Of our erede ihou art crop!
I >\oUl tlryuk on thy eop ,
Lylyll<> day starne.
Ttrcius Pastor.
Ilavllc, ilerlyny dere , fulle of };o«lhede!
I pray the be nere when that I have nede.
Ilaylle! swete is thy chere : my hart wohl hlede
To se Ihe sylt here in so poore wede
With no pennys.
Il.'.ylle! put furlhe thy dalle,
1 l»ryn{;- the hot a halle :
Have and play the with alle,
And jM) lo the tenys.
Maria.
The fader of heven , God omnypotent.
That sett alle on seven, his son has he sent.
My name eouthe he neven and lyjfht or he weiil.
I eoneeyvid hym fulle even, thrujfh niy{;hl .ts In- nn-nl;
And new is he home.
156 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
lie kcpe you fro avo :
I shallc pray hym so;
Telle furtb as ye go,
And myn on this morne.
Primus Pastor.
Farewelle, lady, so fare to beliolde.
With thy chylde on thi kne.
Seciindus Pastor.
Bot he lyjfes fulle cold.
Lord ! welle is me : now we jyo , thou hehold.
Tercius Pastor.
For sothe aile redy , it semys to he told
Fulle oft.
Primus Pastor.
What jjrace we have fun.
Secundns Pastor.
Com fnrthe, now ar we ^von.
Tercius Pastor.
To synjf ar we hun:
Let take on loft.
KXI'LICn I'ACIINA I'VSTOIUM.
( III r.ii-ixi»). 157
CRUCIFIXIO
Vilatiis.
Poasso I l)j(l every I'lch wijjlil;
Stand as slylle as stone in ualle,
Wliyles ye ar present in my syjjiil,
That none of ye clatter ne calle ;
For if ye do yoiire dedc is dygfht,
I warne it you hoth yreatte and sniallc ,
With this l)rand liurnyshyd so hri{}ht,
Therfor in peasse loke ye lie alle.
AVhat! peasse in the duilivs name!
Ilailottes and dustards alle hedene.
On {jalus ye he maide fulle tame,
Thefes and mychers keyn;
Wille ye not peasse when I l)id youV
By Mahou'iiys hloode! if ye me teyn ,
I shalle ordan sone for you ,
Paynes that never ere were seyn ,
And that anonc:
Be ye so i)()ld he}n»-ars , I warn you ,
Fulle holdly shalle I hett you.
To helle the dwillc shaUe draw you.
Body , hak , and hone.
I am a lord (hat uiek>lle is of myg-ht,
Prynee of alle Jury, sir l*ilate I hijfhte,
\ext kyujj; Ilerode };Tvltyst of alle,
Bowjs to my hyddynj;- hotlic j;rcatt and siiialh
Or els he ye shenit:
Tlierfore stere youre tonjjes. I \\.un \oii .illc
And unto ns take lent
158 MIttACLE - PLAYS.
Primus Tortor,
Alle pcasse, alle peasse , cmaiig you allc !
And herkyns now what shalle befalle
Of this fals chuffer here;
That with his fals fjiiantyse.
Has lett hym self as God wyse,
Emanges ns many a yere.
He cals hym self a prophett,
And says that he can bales bete ,
And make all thynges amende;
Bot or lang: wytt we shalle ,
AVheder he can bete his awne bale,
Or skapp out of oure hende.
Was not this a wonder thyng ,
That he durst calle hym self a kyng
And make so greatt a lee?
Bot, by MaLowne! whyls I may lyf
Those prowde wordcs shalle I never forgyf,
Tylle he be hanged on he.
Secundus Tortor.
His pride, fy , we sett at noght,
Bot ich man kest in his thoght.
And looke that we noght wante;
For I shalle fownde , if that I may ,
By the order of knyghtede, to day.
To eause his hart pante.
Tercius Tortor.
And so shalle I with alle my myght,
Abate his pryde this ylk nyght.
And rekyn hym a crcde.
Lo , he Icttes he cowde none ylle ,
Bot he can ay, when he wylle,
Do a fulle fowlle dede.
Quartns Tortor.
Yci felows, yei, as have I rest;
Emanges us alle I red we kest
159
To l>rjnjf 'his thole (o dodo:
Luoko tliat wo h;ivo llial >vo sliuld iialc ,
For to liald lliis sbrou stralo.
I*rwiits Tdflor.
That uas a nohylle rod;
Lo, horo I have a bando ,
If iiodo he to hj udc his haado ;
This thwoiig , I trow, willo last.
Seciiiulits Tortor.
And Iiore oono to the olhore sydo.
That shallo abate his pride.
Bo it be drawen fast.
Terciiis Tortor.
Lo, here a hamcre and u;dos also.
For to festeu fast ouro foo
To this tre fulle soy«.
Qiiarliis Torlor.
Ye arc wise, withoulten drcdo,
That so ean help yourself at iiodo
Of thyii{f that shuld 1)0 done.
Primus Tortor.
Xow dar I say hardoly ,
He shallc with alio his uiawmontry
^'o loii};ore us be telle.
SccitnHus Tortor.
Syn Pilate has hym lylle us ffcyn.
Have dnno, bolyfo, lot it be seyn
How wo o.in willu" li>iu uiollo.
Terciiis Tortor.
Xow nr we at the Moiite of Calvaryo ,
Have «loue, folows, and lot now so
How we can with hvui lake.
Qudrtits Tortor.
\ 00 , for a^ uiodoe as ho can loko .
Ho wold have lurnyd an olhore croke
3Iyfjht ho have had liio rake-
140 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Primus Tortor.
Ill fayth, syr, sen ye callyd yon a kyn{>-,
Yo must prufc a worthy tliyug-
That falles unto the were.
Ye must just in tornamente,
Bot ye sytt fast els ye be shent.
Els downe I shalle you here.
Seciindiis Tortor.
If thou he Godes son, as thou tellys,
Thou can the kepe ; how shuld thou ellys ?
Els wei-e it mervelle greatt;
And hot if thou can, vve wille not trow
That thou has saide , l>ote make the mow
When thou syttes in yond sett.
Tercius Tortor.
If thou he hyng- avc shalle thaidi adylle ,
For we shalle sett the in thy sadylle ,
For fallyng- he theu hold :
I hete the welle thou hydys a shaft.
Cot if thou sytt wcllc thou had hetter laft
The tales that thou has told.
Quartus Tortor.
Stand nere, felows , and let se
llow we can hors oure hyng: so fre ,
By any craft j
Stand thou yonder on yond syde.
And we shalle se how he can I'yde ,
And how to weld a shaft.
Primus Tortor.
Syr, commys heder and have done,
And Avyn apon youre palfray sone ,
For he redy howne :
If ye he hond to hym he not wrothe,
For he ye secure we were fulle lothe
On any wyse that ye fellc downe.
cnrciKixio. t41
SccKittlu.s I'orfor.
liriil llioii a kuoU , A>ithe alio llii sUciUjlh.
For Jo <lr;nv this aime ou leuyllic,
Tyllo it com to the bonv
Terciiis Tortor.
Thou mailtlos , man, hi this Ii<>hl!
It waiitys, lyllf ich mauis sij;ht,
Othcrc hall' span ami moro.
Quarfus Tortor.
Yit ih*a^ve out this arnic and fest It fast ,
Withe this rope, that welle ^ille last.
And ilk man lay hand to.
Primus Tortor.
\ oe . and In ud thou fast that hand .
AVe shallo j;o to that other hand
And loko what >ve can do.
Seciindiis Tortor.
Do ih'}fc a uayllc ther thru'jhc outt,
And then thar us nothyny doutt.
For it willc not hrest,
Terciiis Tortor.
That shallo I do, as niyfjhl I thryfe ,
For to clynk and for to <lryfo
Therto I am fullc prcst;
So let it styk, for it is avoIc.
Quarfus Tortor.
Thou says sotho , as have I eele.
Ther can no man it mende.
Primus Tortor.
Ilald du>vne his hnees.
Sccutiflus Tortor.
That shallo 1 do.
His noryse ycdo never hotter to ;
Lay on alio your honde.
Terciiis Tortor.
Draw out hvs Ivninios . lot so. have at.
142 MinACLE - PI.AVS.
Quartus Tortor.
That was Avelle lira wen that that.
Fare falle hym that so puld!
For to have getteii it to the marhe
I trow lewdc man , ne clerk ,
Nothynj) hotter shuld.
Primus Tortor.
Hald it now fast thor.
And oone of you take the hore,
And then may it not faylle.
Seciindus Tortor.
That shalle I do witthontten drede ,
As ever myght I welle spede ,
Hym to mckylle hayle.
Tercins Tortor.
So, that is welle, it wille not hrest,
Bot let now se who dos the hest
Withe any sleg-the of hande.
Qnartns Tortor.
Go we now unto the othere ende ;
Felowse , fcst on fast youre heude ,
And puUe welle at this hand.
Primus Tortor.
I red, felowse, hy this wedyr.
That we draw alle ons togedir.
And loke how it Aville fare.
Secundus Tortor.
Let now se and leyf youre dyn,
And draw we ilka syn from syn.
For nothyng- let us spare.
Tercius Tortor.
Nay , felowse , this is no jyam ,
Wo wille no lonfyere draw alle sam,
So mekille have I asspyed.
cnrcipixiu. 145
Qtinrtits Torfor.
No, for as liavf I hlys.
Soni can t\vjk, who so it is.
Sokes oassc on soiu kyn sydc.
Primus Tort or.
It is bettor as I hope.
Oone l)y his self to draw this rope.
And then may no so
AVho it is that ere while
Alle his fclows can heg^ic
Of this conipanye.
Seciindus Tortor.
Son thon wille so have here for mo;
How draw I, as myght thou the?
Tercius Tortor.
Thou drew rijjht wele,
Ilavo here for me half a foyte.
Qiiarfus Torfor.
Wema , man I I trow thou doyte ,
Thou flyt it never a dele ;
Bot have for mo here that I may.
Primus Tortor.
AVelle drawen , son , hi tliis day !
Thou {fose welle to tlii warke.
Secuudns Tortor.
Yil efle, whils thi hando is in,
Pullc ther at ^villi som kyn {fyn.
Tercius Tortor.
Yei, and hrynjy it to the luarkt
Quartus Tortor.
Pullc. pullc!
Primus Tortor.
Have now.
Secundus Tortor.
Let so.
144
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Tercius Tortov,
A ha!
Quarlus Tortor.
Yit a draght.
Primus Tortor.
Tlierto with alio my maght.
Secimdus Tortor.
A , ha , hokl stille thoro.
Tercius Tortor.
So felowsc ! looke now hclyt'c
Whiche of you can hcst dryfe,
And I shalle lake the l)orc.
Quartus Tortor.
Let mc go thcrto , if I shalle
I hope that I he the hest mershalle
For [to] clynke it right j
Do rase hyni up now when wc may,
For I hope he and his paifray
Shalle not t^vyn this nyght.
Primus Tortor.
Come hedir , felowse , and have done ,
And help that this tre sone
To lyft with alle youre slcght.
Secundus Tortor.
Yit let us wyrk a whyle.
And no man now othere hegyle
To it he hroght on heght.
Tercius Tortor.
Felowse, fcst on alle youre hende
For to rase this tre on ende ,
And let se who is last.
Quartus Tortor.
I red we do as that he says ,
Set we the tre on the mortase ,
And ther willo it stand fast.
cnrciiiMo. §43
i'n'inus Titrtnv.
Seciindiis Tnrfor.
A, U licl.lys.
For liYiu lli.it ;illc tills n;trl(l ^\cl(l\s.
Put tio tlio ^vilh thi li.iiiilc-.
Tercius Torlor.
Ilald I'vcii ciii.iiijjfs us alio.
(JitdHiis I'ofior.
Vce , and lot it into the uiortase falli'.
For then wille it bpst stande.
Pn'miis Tortor.
Go we to it and he wc slronj;-.
And rase it, be it never so lonif.
Sen that it is fast hon.
Scciindiis Tortor.
Up ^vith the lynihre last on eiuU-.
Tercius Tortor.
A I'elowse , fare falle yoiire hcnde I
Qiiartus Tortor.
So sir, {jape a(»ans the son!
Priniiis Tortor.
A I'elow. war thi ero^nc!
Seciindus Tortor.
Trowes thou this Ijnihre >Ni!le oj;hl downe?
Tercius Tortor.
Vit help that it were Cast.
Quartus Tortor.
Soffh hyni welle and let us lylte
I'rimus Tortor.
Full.- short.' shall).- h>s thrylte.
St'CUHflus Tortor.
A, it standes up lyk.- a luast.
Jesus.
1 pray you pepylle, that passe lue l>y •
That lede yoiire lyfe so lykandly .
10
MIRACLE -PL\YS.
Heyfe up youre hertes on hig-hte ;
Behold if ever ye saw body
Sufler and belt thus blody,
Or yit thus diilfully dight ;
III >varld was never no wight
That suffred half so sare.
My mayn , my mode , my myght ,
is noght hot sorow to sight.
And eomfurthe none bol care;
My folk, Avhat have I done to the.
That thou alle thus shalle tormente me ?
Thy syn by I fulle sone.
What have I grevyd the? answere me,
That thou thus ualys me to a tre.
And alle for thyn erroure :
Where shalle thou seke socoure?
This mys how shalle thou amende,
When that thou thy saveour*;
Dryfes to this dyshonoiu'e ,
And nalys thrughe feete and hende?
Alle ereatoures that kynde may kest,
Beestys, byrdes , alle have thay rest,
W hen thay ar wo begon ; «'
Bot Codes sou, that shuld be best,
Has not where apon his hede to rest, \i
Bol on his shulder bone:
To whome now may I make my mone
When thay thus martyr me.
And sakles wille me si one ,
And bete me bloode and bone.
That my brethere shuld be?
What kyndnes shuld I kythe theym to?
Have I not done that I aght to do,
Maide the to my lyknes?
And thou thus ryfes me rest and ro ,
And lettes thus lightly on me , lo
•RrriFixio.
M7
Sirlw is lli> <;il\riics:
I liavf llu" li>«l kMtdiifs, iiiikyiiilly lliou iii)> quytys
St' llius (hi nolijdnfs. loKi' ho^\ tliou inc djspylys,
41\IH('s llnis :iiu I put to pjQO,
\ol I'nr liny] luys, uiau, hot lor Uimic ,
Tlius am I rout on roih- ;
For I th;it Iri'sourc «ol(l nol tvnt'
Tliat I ni;irk\(l ;Mi(i iiiaili' lor nivn<' ;
Thus h> I A.l.ini hlo.h>
That suiLken \\as in s\ u .
With none crlhly {|Ooii
Bot ^vitli uiy lli'sh and hlo(h'
Tliat lolhf was lor to «yn.
>l\ hr«'lhi're that I cam I'orto hy
Has hanged nic here , thus hediisly .
And frpyndcs I'yndo I Ibyn ;
Thus have thay dijflit me drerely .
And alle hy spytl me spylusly ,
As helples man In uon.
Itni Fader that svttes in trorie
Forj>>f tliou Ihem lliis fjy't.
I pr.iN t(( the this ho\ n .
Tha^ «ole not ■what thay doyn ,
IVor nhom thay have thus spylt.
Primits Tort or.
\ is , >vhat we do I'ullc \\cllf' we l.iia^v.
Si'ri(mlt(s 1 (>r/i»\
Vee. Ilial shalle he lyndc uilhin a thiau.
Trrciits I'orfor.
.\o\v, with a myschaiinee l\\\r liis rors.
A\ <'M> •> he lliat wf j;\r an\ Inicc
AVhal duiil.' so rvcr hr aNil.-'
(Jutnlns Tordir.
For he wold tary us allr day
Of" his dede to make d<dav
I telle von . saiisfavlle.
10
'§i^. MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Primus Tortor.
Lyft us this tre emanges us alle.
Sectindus Tortor.
Yee , auil let it into the mortasc falle,
Aucl that shalle gai' hyiu ])rest.
Tercius Tortor.
Yee , and alle to ryfe hym lym from lyni.
Qiiartus Tortor.
And it wille breke ilk jonte in hyni ;
Let se now who dos best.
3I(iria.
Alas the doyle I tU-e! I drowpe, I dare in drede;
Whi hynges thou, son, so hee? my baylle begynnes to brede.
Alle blemyshed is thi hie , I se thi body blede ,
In warld, son, were never we so wo as I in wede.
My foode that I have fed.
In lyf longjng the led,
FuUe stratly art thou sted
Emanges thi foo men felle: i i,,
Sich sorow forto se.
My dere barn , on the ,
Is more mowrnyng to me
Then any tong may telle. , ,
Alas! thi holy hede
Has not wheron to held, - ,; .'
Thi face with blode is red
Was fare as floure in feylde; , v..,"/
How shuld I stand in sted
To se my barne thus blede, ', ,-
Bete as bio as lede,
And has no lym to weyhle?
Festynd both handes and feete
With nalys fulle unraete,
His woundes wryngyng wete ,
Alas , my childe , for care !
lU t.lKIMO.
149
For iillc rent i> llii liylr -
I sc on ;t>(luTi- s\(l('
Tt'res of l»lo(l«" (Ion lie jjliilf
Ovor all«' flii Itody Iwire ,
Alas that ever I slmld Ityde ami sc my toyr llnis far*' I
Jtt/iannes.
Alas, for tloyllc, my lady di'io !
Alio lor tlianjiid is thy chore .
To si'i' this pryiice Avithoutcu pcre
TLus lappyd allc in ivo :
Ho uas tlii lootlo. til! Caryst foino .
Till luf, tlii lako. till lulVsoni son,
riiat bi<;li on tro Uius lnn;;os alono
With body Mali ami 1)1(> ;
Alas!
To mo and many mo a }j(n)d maslor lio was.
Hoi, lady, sen it is his wille
The j)ro[)hocy to fnlfylle ,
riiat manliyndo in sy[n] not spillo.
For Ihoni to thole payn;
And ^\ith his dod rannsftn to make.
As proplirlys heforn of hym spake ,
For tlii I Ti'd tlii sorowe thou slake ,
'IIp \^<■|»yl>!; I"-''} not j;ayn
III sorowc ;
Omit Im.nII lio l.yos ImII.- I.ayn,
Fs alio l'r(un hale to horowo.
.}ftirii(.
Alas I tlivn eon as orist:ille <'lore, that shono as son In sijjlit,
riial Iiiflv wore in lyore , hist ihay liavo tliare lij;lit
And ^^ax alle faod iu f.rr . alio dym then ar thay di|;iit .
[n payn his tliou no per;', ihat is wilhoutten pi{[lit.
Swcto son , siv mo tlii tlio{;lit:
What \v<nulors has thon Avro(;lil
To ho in pavn thus hroj;lit.
ri.i' l.liss.Ml l.lo.lr In 1d.n-|.-V
ISO
MIRACLE -I'LA\S.
A SOU , think on my wo ,
Will wiJIc thou fare me fro?
On mold is no man mo
That may my myrthes amende.
Johannes.
Comly lady, good and couthe, fayn wokl I comforth the 5
Me mynnys my master with mowth tokl unto his menyec
That he shuhl thole fulle mekille payn and dy apon a tre,
And to the lyfe ryse up agayn, apon the thryd day shiild it be
Fulle right;
For thi , my lady swele ,
Stynt a while of grete, : ; ni,.
Oure bale then vville he bete
As he before has bight.
3Iaria.
My sorow it is so sad no solaee may me safe,
Mowrnyng makes me mad , none hope of help I bafe ;
I am redles and rad, for ferd that I mou rafe ,
Noghte may make me glad to I be in my grafe.
To deth my dere is drytien,
His robe is alle to ryffen ,
That of me was hym gyffen
And shapen withe my sydes:
Thise Jues and he has stryffen
That alle the bale he bydes.
Alas! my lam so myjde, wlii wille thou fare me fro
Emang thise wulfes wylde, that wyrkc on the this wo?
For shame who may the shelde, for freyndes has thou fo ?
Alas! my comly childe , whi wille thou fare me fro?
Madyns , make youre mone ,
And wepe ye , wyfes , everyichon ,
Withe me, most wriehe , in wonc ,
The ehilde that borne was best :
My harte is styf as stone,
That for uo bayllc wille brcst.
CRH.lKI\IO.
Ittl
Jtt/iuiiiirs.
A. I;mI\ , XM'II<- \Nol.' 1 llii liart is liilli- of cur
WluMi thou lliiis o|M'nl> s»Ts (In cliild.' thus faro;
Lut" yars liMii lalliK . liviu solf willo ho not spare
Is alle Iro bayll*' lo hy . of hlis that ar fullo l>ar«'
For syn :
My Icvo \;td\ . for thy of inouTiivn[y lok»^ thou Itlvn.
Maria.
Alas I may ever h<* my sany, whyls 1 may lyf \n l<'y<l ,
Me thyuk now that I lyf to lanjy to se my harne thus blede;
Jues wyrko with hym alh' wranjy , wherfor do thay this dede?
Lo so hy thay have hym hanjj-, thay let for no drede;
>Vh
I so
His fomcn is h«' i'mauf;-. no froyntle ho has hot fo.
Mv frolv loodc now farys me fro, what shallo worlhe on me?
Thou art warpyd alle in avo and spred here on a tre
FuUe hee ;
I mowrno. and so may mo, that sees this payn on the.
Johannes,
Derc lady, welle were me
If that I myjfht eomforthe the ,
For the sorow that I se
Sherys myn harte in sunder;
When that I se my master hanjf
With hytter pavnes and stranjf ,
AA'as never wijjht with wranjj-
AA'ro'i^ht so nieliille ^vonder.
Maria.
Alas! dede. thou «l\veilys to lanjf, whi art thou hid fro me?
Who kend the to my ehihie to fyan}y? alle l»lak thou makes
his hie;
\ow witlerlv thou ^^vrkes wranjj . the more 1 wille wyte the,
Bot if tlnni wille my harte stanjf lliat f myjflit with hym dee
And hyde.
Sore syghyn{y is mv san{j, for thyrlyd is his hyde,
A, dede, y\h,\{ has thou done? ^vith ihe wille I moyll sone;
^|t MIKACLE-PL.WS.
Sen I had childer none l)ot oone , best under son or moyn ,
Freyndes I had fiille foyn, that gars me grete and grone
Fidle sore.
Good Lord, graunte me my hoyn, and let me lyf no more!
Gahrielle! that good som tyme thou ean me grete.
And then I understiid thl wordes that were so swete ,
Bot now thay meng my moode, for grace thou can me hete
To ]>ore alle of my ]>loode a childe oure baylle shuhl liete
^Yith right.
No^v hynges he here on rude, where is that thou me hight?
Alle that thou of hlys hight me in that stede
From myrthe is faren omys, and yit I trow thi red ;
Thy councelle now of this, my lyfe how shalle I lede
When fro me gone is he that was my hede
In hy?
My dede now eomen it is. my dere son, have mercy!
JesHS.
3Iy moder mylde, thou eliaunge thi chere.
Cease of thi sorow and sighj ng sere ,
It syttes unto my hart fulle sore;
The sorow is shnrp I sufTre here,
Bot doylle thou drees , my moder dere ,
Me marters mekille more.
Thus wiile my fader 1 fare
To lowse mankyndc of ]>andys.
His son wille he not spare
To lowse that hon was are
Fulle fast in feyndes haudes.
The fyrst cause, moder, of my comyng
Was for manhynde myscarying.
To salf Ihare sore I soght;
Thf-rfor , moder, make none mowrnyng
Sen luankynde thrugh my dyyng
May tluis to blis he h(»ght.
Woman, wepe thou right noglil.
Take ther Johne unto (lii ehvide.
< lu «in\i«».
.\f,-tiikMi(lc must ncdos be liojrht;
And tliuii kest, cosyn , in tbi tbo;rbl.
Johne , lo tber tbi muitcr iunIiIcI
Bio ami blotly tbus am I liott ,
Suonj»-c'ii ^vitb s>vt>|>vs ami alio to swell,
3Iaiikyii(lo, for ibi m>S(lode;
For my luf lust when wolil iboii lelt,
Aiid tbi barte sadly soU .
Sen I tbus for llic bave blcdc?
Sicb lyf , for sotbe , I led tbat unotbes may
Tbis siifTre I for tbi nede.
To marke tbe, man, tbi mode:
Now tbyrst I ^vonder sore.
Primus Tortor.
]\o{|bl bot bold tbi peasse ,
Tbou sb.dle bave drynke ivitb in a rcsse.
My self sbalbe tby knave:
Have lure tbe dra^rbt tbat I the hete ,
Ami I slialle warand it is not swete
On alle tbe [jood I bave.
Secundus Tortor.
.So syr, say now alle youre wille.
For if ye eontbe bave balden you slvlle
\e bad mil iiad ibis brade.
Trrcins Tortor.
riioii n(dd alle ;;a\lt be kyiiK »»f Jues,
|{nl liv lliis I tr<)\v tbou ru<'S
Alle tbat tbou bas savde.
(Juarfits Tortor.
He bas iiMii riised of {;-realt propbes.
Tlial be sbuld make us temp>lles.
And (far it olene downe fallc;
And \it be sayde be sbuld it rase
As welle as it was witliin thre daves.
He lyes, tbat wole we alio;
And for bis Ives in j«,re;'l rlisp\l(>
185
|g4 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
We willo departc his clothyng tyte,
Bot he can more of arte.
Primus Tortov.
Yee, as ever myffht I thryfe.
Soya wille we this mantylle ryfe.
And ichc man take his parte.
Secimdns Torlor.
How, wold thou we share this clothe?
Tevcius Tovtor.
IVay forsothe , that were I lothe.
Then were it alle gate spylt;
Bot assent thou to my saw.
Let us alle cutt draw.
And then is none hegylt.
Secundus Tortor.
How so hefallys now >vyllc I draw.
This is myn hy eomon law,
Say not ther agayn.
Primus Tortor.
IVow sen it raon no hetter he,
Chevithe the with it for me ,
Me thynk thou art full fayne.
Secundus Tortor.
How felowse , se ye not yon skraw ?
It is writen yonder ^vithin a thraw.
Now sen that we drew cut.
Tercius Tortor.
I'herc is no man that is on lyfe
Bot it were Pilate, as might I thrife.
That durst it there have putt.
Quartns Tortor.
Go we fast, and let us ioke
W^hat is wretyne on yond bokc.
And what it may bemyn.
< Kl «.lM\IO.
t'limiis I'di'tor.
A tbe uiurr I lokc IIhtoii.
A the mor»' I tli\iilu' I Ion;
Alio is not >\urlh«' a Ucyn.
SrciiiKliis Tortor.
Vis I'm- soJhe, me ihynk I se
TluTnii wriliMi laiijya{fo tbre ,
El)r«'>v ami Latvii ,
Ami Gre\^ mo thyiik ^\riton iheroa ,
For il is lianl for to cxpouiic.
Terciits Tortor.
Thou roil, by Apollyon!
Qiiarftis Tortor.
Yce , as I aiu a trcu knyjjiil ,
I am the best Latyii uryjjlit
Oi" this edinpany ;
I >\ille }j(» ^vitlioiitteii ilelay
Ami telle you >vliaf it is to say,
Behald, syrs, ^vitlerly ,
Voiuli'r is wretyn Jesus of ^azareyii ,
He is liMi;; of Jues. I weyii.
Primus Tortor.
A, that is \>rilem' \>ranj;.
Sf'cuudiis Tortor.
He callvs liMii so. hot he is none.
Tcrritts Tortor.
Go we to l*ilate and make oure mon«
Have (lone and dwelle not Ian;
I'ilale. yonder is a fals lahylle.
Tlieron is wrvteii no}rhl liot lahylle.
or .lii.'s he is not kMiji-
He <-all\s hvni so. hot he not is.
II is falsly writen . iuys.
I'his is a ^^ran{pvvs tliMij;.
liUS
JlPg MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Pilatus.
Boys, I say whal melle ye you?
As it is writeii shalle it he now,
I say certaiue;
Quod script iim scripsi ,
That same wrote I ,
What {-atUyng: {jriiches ther agaue?
Qiiartus Tortor.
Sen that he is a man of law he must nedys have his wille :
I troAv he had not writen that saw without som p.opre skylle.
Primus Tortor.
Yee,Jet it hang ahove his hede ,
It shalle not save hym fro the dede,
Nojjht that he can write.
Secundus Tortor.
Novv ilia hale was he home.
Tercius Tortor.
Ma fa , I telle his lyfe is lorne ,
lie shalle he slayn as tyte.
If thou he Crist, as men the calle ,
Com downe emaiiges us alle , '
And Ihole not Uiise missaes.
Qnarlus Tortor.
Y'ee, and help ihi self that we may se ,
And we shalle alle trow in the.
What soever thou s;iys.
Primus Tortor.
He eallys hym self good of myght,
IJot I wold se hym he so wight
To do siehc a dede ;
He rasyd Lazare out of his delfe ,
IJot he can not help hym selfe,
IVow in his .;>rc;!t nede.
,\7
JeSHS.
Ilely , llely, l;unazal):ilany!
My God, luy God I wlnn-lor ami \s\\\
lias thou f'orsaliyii iiir ?
Sccnndus Tort in-.
How, here ye not, as nelle as I,
How lu- can now on Hely cry
A poll J his Mysc?
Tcrciits Torlov.
Yoc , thcr Is none Hely in this countrc
Shalle delyver hyiu from this meneyc.
On no kyns wysc.
QuarfKS Tortnr.
I warand yon now at the last
That he shalle soyn yelde the {yast.
For brestyn is his yalle.
JeSHS.
Now is my passyon broj«hl tylle cnde.
Fader of heven in to ihyn hende
I hetake my saulle !
Prim us Tort or.
Let ooiie pryk hyiu withe a spere ,
And if that it do hym no «lere
Then is his lyfe nere past.
Secinulus Tortor.
This hlyude kny{;;ht may liest do that.
LoHffCHS.
Gar me not do hot I wote what.
Tercius Tortor.
]\ot hut put up fast.
Longeus
A! Lord, what may this he?
Ere was I hlynde, now may I se;
Godes son, here me, Jesu!
For this trespason me thou rew.
138
MIRACLE- PL \YS,
For, loril, othere men me {jart,
Tliat I the stroke unto the hart,
I se thou hynges here on hy ,
And dyse to fulfylle the prophecy.
Qunrtus Tortor.
Go we hens, and leyfe hym here.
For I shalle he his horjjhe to yere
He felys no more payn;
For Hely ne for none othere man
Alle the good that ever he wan ,
Gettes not his lyfe agayne.
Josephits.
Alas, alas, and walaway!
That ever shuld I ahyde this day
To se my master dede;
Thus wykydly as he is shent,
With so hytter tornamente,
Thrughe fals Jues red.
Nychodeme , I wold we yede
To sir Pilate, if we myght spede
His hody for to crave;
I wille fownde with alle my myght,
For my servyee to ash that knyght ,
His hody for to grave.
Nichnflemus.
Josephe, I wille weynde Avith the
For to do that is in me ,
For that hody to pray;
For oure good wille and oure travale
I hope that it mon us avaylle
Here after Avard som day.
JosepJiHS.
Sir Pilate , God the save !
Grannie me that I crave.
If that it he thi wille.
loJ»
Pilafiis.
Welooin Joscphe niyj;ht thou he ,
What so thou askys I {^raunle it the.
So thai it \u' skyllc.
Joscphus.
For my loiij;- servyco , I the pray ,
Graunte me the hody, say me not nay.
Of Jesus (leile on vm\.
Pi'latiis.
I {jraunte welle if he (led he ,
Good leyfe shalle thou have of me ,
Do ^%7th hym Avhat thou thynk |;iul.
Joscj)hi(s.
Gramerey , sir , of youre good {yraoe ,
That ye have jjraunte me in this place ,
Go we oure way :
\ychodeme , come mc furthe with.
For I my self shalle he the smythe
The nales out for to dray.
Aichodemus.
Josephe , I am redy here
To {JO withe the with fulle }-ood ehere ,
To help the at my myghl ;
Pulle furthe the nales on ay there syde.
And I shalle hald hym up this tyde,
A , lord , so thou is ilij;ht.
Jnsrj/hits.
Help now, felow, with alle thi my{jht ,
That he were wonden and welle di{;ht.
And lay hym on this here;
Bere we hym furthe unto the kyrke.
To the tomhe that I jjard wyrk.
Sen fulle many a \ere.
160 MIBACLE - PLAYS.
Nichodetnus.
It shalle be so with outten nay.
He that dyed on Gud Friday
And crownyd was withe thorne
Save you alle that now here he ,
That Lord that thus wold dee
And rose on Pasche morne.
EXPLICIT CRDCIFIXIO CHRISTI.
EXTRACTIO AMMVIU.M.
EXTR ACTIO AM31ARr.U
AB INFERNO.
Jesus.
My fader me from hljs has send
Tille erthe for maiiiiyade sake,
Adam mys for to amend ,
My deth nedc must I take :
I dwellyd ther thyrty yeres and two.
And som dele more, the sothe to say.
In anf^'er , pyne , and mekylle wo ,
I dyde on cros this day.
Therfor tille helle now wille I g:o ,
To chalangfe that is myne,
Adam, Eve, and othere mo,
Thay shalh* no lonj|er dwelle in pyne;
The feynde thevm wan withe trayn ,
Thnijj-he fraiule of earthly fode,
I have theym hoj^lit ajyan
With shedyn{f of my hlode.
And now I wille that stedc restore,
AVhiche the feynde felle fro for syn ,
Som tokyn uille I send hefore,
AVithe niyrthe to {jar thare jj^arames he{>yi
A lij-hl I wille thay have
To know I wille eom sone ,
My hody shalle ahyde in {{-rave
Tille alle this dede he done.
3Iv hrether. lit-rLvii unto me here.
More hope of hclth nevei- we had ,
II
162 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Four thousand and six hundred yere
Have we bene here in darknes stad;
Now se I tokyns of solace sere ,
A p;loryous gleme to make us g^lad ,
Wherthrughe I hope that help is nere ,
That sone shalle slake oure sorowes sad.
Eve.
Adam, my husband heynd,
This menys solace certan,
Sichc lighte can on us leynd
In paradyse fulle playn.
Isaias.
Adam , thrugh thi syn
Here were we put to dwelle.
This wykyd place within ,
The name of it is belle;
Here paynes shalle never blyn
That wykyd ar and felle ,
Love that lord withe wyn
His lyfe for us wold selle.
\Et cantcnt omncx uSalvalor unmdi ," pritmim versum.^
Adam , thou wellc understand ,
I am Isaias , so Crist me kende ,
I spake of folk in darknes walkand,
I saide a light shuld on them lende ;
This light is alle from Crist commande ,
That he tille us has hedir sende ,
Thus is my poynt proved in hand ,
As I before to fold it kende.
Simeon.
So may I telle of farlys feylle ,
For in the tempylle his freyndes me fande,
Me thoght dayntethe with liym to deylle,
I balsyd hym homely with my hand,
I saide. Lord, let thi servandes leylle
Pas in peasse to lyf lastande ,
tXTRVr.TIO AMMARIM. Ifi,"
Xo>v lliat uiyii foyii h;is soue tli^ii hcli-
Xo loiif>er i>st 1 lyf in lande.
This lij«lit tliou has purvayde
For tbcMu that lyf in lede ,
That I hdoro of the have saide
I so it is ruirill>d in ilode.
Johannes Bttptistn.
As a voice cryand I kend
Th«' ^vayes oi' Crist, as I Avelle can,
I haplisid hym with bolhe inyu hende
In the « ater of flume Jordan ;
The II<»ly Gost (roui heven discende
As a white dowfe downe on me tl»an.
The Fader voyce ourc myrthes to amende
Was made to me lyke as a man ;
• Yond is my son," he saide,
■■And Avhiche pleasses me fuUe ^%elle,"
His liyht is on us htyde ,
And commys oure karys lo kele.
Mnyses.
Now this same nyfjht lernynj'- have I ,
To me , Moyses , he she^vid his myyht ,
And also to another oone , Hely ,
AVhere we stud on a hiUe on hyjfhl.
As >vhyte as snaw was his body ,
His iaee was like the son for bright ,
No man on mold was so mi{fhty
Grathly durst loke aj^ans that lijjht.
And that same lijjhte here se I now
Shynynj;- on us , eertayn ,
Where thrujjhe truly I trow
That we sballe soue i)as fro this payn
Rijbald.
Sen fyrst that belle was mayde and I was put theriu
Siche s<»row iw\ei- ei<' I bad. iim- liaiil I siebe a (Imi ,
I I •
164 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
My hart be^nnys to Inade, my wytt waxys thyn,
I drede we can not be {ylad, thise saules mon fro us twyn ;
How, Belsa])ub! bynde thise boys, siche harow was never
hard in helle.
Belzahuh.
Out, Rybald! thou rores, what is betyd? cau thou oght telle?
Ryhald.
Whi, herys thou not this ugly noyse?
Thise lurdans that in lymbo dwelle ,
They make nienyng of many joyse.
And muster myrthes theym emelle.
Belzahuh.
Myrth? nay, nay! that poynt is past.
More hope of helthe shalle they never have.
Rifhald.
That cry on Crist fulle fast.
And says he shalle thaym save.
Belzahuh.
Yee, though he do not, I shalle.
For thay ar sparyd in specyalle space,
Whils I am prynce and pryncypalle ,
Thay shalle never pas out of this place;
Calle up Astarot and Anaballe,
To gyf us counselle in this case;
Telle Berith and Bellyalle
To mar theym that siche mastry mase ;
Say to sir Sataa ourc syre.
And byd hym bryug also
Sir Lucyfer lufly of lyre.
Ryhald.
AUe redy, lord, I go.
Jesus.
AttoUte portas, princtpes, vestras et elevamini portce ceter-
nales, et introihit rex glorue.
K\TBV«.riO AMM \ lU M.
RybaU.
Out, harm, out! what devillc is he
That oallys hyni kynjy over us alle?
Hark IU'l/.ahul> , eoiu ne ,
Fur hedusly I hard hyui calle.
Belzalmh.
Go spar the yates, ylle mot thou the!
And set the waehes on the walle ,
If that hrodelle com ne
With us ay won he shalle;
And if he more ealh' or cry ,
To make us more debate,
Lay on hym hardely ,
And make hym {jo his {fate.
David.
I\ay, withe hym may ye not fyfjht.
For he is kin{j and eonqueroure ,
And of so mekille myjjht.
And styf in every stoure;
Of hym commys alle this lifjht
That shynys in this howre;
He is fulle fers in fi{fht,
AVorthi »o wyn honoure.
BrhaJmh.
Honoure ! harsto , harlot , for what dede
Alle erthly men to me ar thralle.
That lad that thou callys lord in lede
He had never harbor, house, ne hallc;
How, sir Sathanas, com nar
And hark this eursid rowle!
SaOuinns.
The dewille you alle to bar!
What ales the so to showte?
And me , if I com nar .
Thy brayn hot I br>st «iwte.
\{'u\
4
Belzabub.
Thou must com help to spar,
W^e ar heseged abowte.
Snthanas.
Besegyd aboute! whi, who durst be so boit
For drede to make on us a fray?
Belzahuh.
It is the Jew that Judas sold
For to l>e dedc this othere day.
Snthanas. ,
How, in tyme that tale was told.
That tratiue travesses us alle way; :
He shalle be heie fulle haid in hold,
Bot loke he pas not I the pray.
Bchabnb.
Pas! nay, nay, he wille not weynde
From hens or it be war,
He shapys hym for to sheynd
Alle belle or he go far. . ^
Sathanas.
Fy, fature, therof shalle he faylle.
For alle his fare I hym defy ;
I know his trantes fro top to taylle ,
He lyffes by gawdes and glory.
Therby he broght farthc of oure baylle
The lathe Lazare of Betany,
Bot to the Jues I gaf counsaylle
Tliat thay shuld eause hym dy:
I entered there into Judas
That forward to fulfylle,
Therfor his hyere he has
Alle wayes to won here stylle.
Ilifbahl.
Sir Sathan, sen we here the say
Thou and the Jues were at assent.
And >vote he nan tlu" Lazaic auay
That unlo us >\as lal.rii l«t lent.
Ilopys thou that th(»u mar Iimii ujay
To muster the malyee that he has uient?
For aiul he rele us now oure pray
We >\ille V' will or he is nent.
Sathauas.
I hytl the no(jht ahaste
Bot holdly make you bowne,
>Vithe toyles that ye inti-aste.
And dyuj; that dastard donne.
JCSKS.
Attolite partus pnna'ites vrstras , etc.
lUjImld.
Outt. harro! nhat harlot is he
That says his kyn(}dom shalhe eryde ?
David.
That may thou in sawter se.
For of this prynee thus ere I saide;
I saide that he shiihl hreke
Yourc harres and handes l>y name.
And of youre warkes take ureke;
Xo\v sliallo thoti se the same.
Jesus.
Ye prynees of helle open youre yate.
And let my folk furllie jfone ,
A prynee of peasse sliallc euNr llurat
AVheder ye wille or none.
lUlhnld.
What art thou that spekys so?
JcSHS.
A kyuj. (d" hlys that luj;lit Jesus.
liijbald.
Yee, hens fast I red thou j'O ,
And nielle thr not >villi us.
I(>7
JblSeS MIRACLE -PLAYS. /
lieLzabuh,
Oure yates I trow Aville last,
Thay ar so stroiif}- I weyii ,
Bot If oure ])arrcs brast
For tbe thay sballe not twyn.
Jesus.
This stede slialle staude no longer stokyn;
Open np and let my pepille pas.
Rifhald.
Out , haiTO ! oure ])aylle is lirokyn ,
And brusten ar alle oure liandes of bras.
Belzabuh.
Harro! oure yates begyn to crak ,
In sonder, I ti'ow, tbay go,
And belle , I trow , wllle all to sbak ;
Alas , Avbat I am wo !
Ryhald.
Lymbo is lorn, alas! , , ;
Sir Sathanas eom up j ■»,;. ^ -
Tbis wark is wars tben it was.
Sathanas. . -
Yee, bangyd be tbou on a eruke;
Thefys , I bad ye sbuld be bowne
If be luaide mastres more
To dyng that dastard downe ,
Sett bym botbe sad and sore.
Bclzahih.
So sett bym sore Ibat is sone saide.
Com tbou tbi self and serve bym so ;
We may not abyde bis bytter brayde.
He wold us mar and we were mo.
Sathanas.
Fy , fature ! wberfor were ye flayd ?
Have ye no foree to flyt bym fro?
Loke in haste my gere be grayd.
My self sballe to that gadlyng go.
i:\IK\<ri(l VMMAKIM. Hi\)
How, tlum IicLimy. .ihydo,
AVlthe .lilt* llii i)(isl)> .111(1 lM>yr,
And telle me in this tyde
AMi.tt mastics IIkmi iiial;«'S Iiere.
,frs„S.
I make no niastry !»(»( lor myne .
I will*' tlu>vm save, llial slialle tlic soiv.
Thoii has no poweiv th<'vm to j>vne ,
Bot in my pryson for Ihare prow
Here have thay sojornyd, not as ihyne ,
Rot in ihi waI•^d. thou w«ite as how.
S(if/i(iiias.
^Vhy , ^vhere has thou l)ene ay syn
That never wold nejjhe theyni nere or now ?
JesH.i.
Now is the Ivme eertan
My Fader ordand herfor.
That they shnld pas fro payn
In hlys to dwelle for ever more.
Saf/ianas.
Thy fader l.iicw I wellc hy syght.
He was a wri.'fhl his meelt to wyn ,
Mary me mynnys thi moder hi{>-ht.
The utmast ende of alle thy kyn ,
Say who made the so meliille of myght ?
Josits.
Thou wykyd feynde lett he thi (l>(n].
My Fader wonnes in lu'ven on lii||lil .
In l)lys that never moi-e shalle hlyn :
I am his oonlv s»ni his foruard to fiilfylle,
Tojjeder wille \\ c wim in soiider \*lien we >vylle.
S(it/i(nttis.
Goddes soul nay then ni>j;lit llioii !»<• j;lad
For no catelle thurt the erave ;
Bot thou has Ivffed ay lyke a lad .
In soro<\ . am! as n svmpille knave.
i'70 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Jesits.
That was for the hartly luf I had
Unto man's saulle it forto save,
And forto make the masyd and mad.
And for tliat reson rufully to rafe.
My Godhede here I hyd
In Mary , moder myne ,
Where it shalle never be hyd
To the ne none of thyne.
Sathunas.
How now ? this wold I were tohl in towne
Thou says God is thi syre ;
I shalle the prove by jfood reson
Thou moyltes as man dos into myre.
To breke thi hyddynj; they were fidle bowne
And soyn they wroyhl at my desyre ,
From paradise thou putt theym dowue ,
In helle here to have thare byre ;
And thou thi self, by day and nyjjht ,
Taght ever alle men emang-.
Ever to do reson and right,
And heie thou wyrkys alle Avrang.
Jesus.
I wyrk no wrang , that shalle thou wytl.
If I my men fro wo wille Avyn;
My prophettes playnly prechyd it,
Alle the noytes that I begyu ;
They saide that I shuld be that ilke
In helle where I shuld eutre in,
To save my servandes fio that pytt
Where dampnytl saullys shalle syt for syn.
And ilke true prephete taylle
Shalle be fulfillid in me ;
I have thaym boght fro baylle.
In blis now shalle thay be.
KXiKACTIO A.MMAKl.M. 171
Sathaiias.
Now sea thou lyst to legjje the lawes
Thou shalbc touyil or we. twyu ,
For those that thou to >vitaes drawes
Fulle even ag'ans the shalle be{yyn ;
As Salaman saitle in his sawes,
AA ho that ones commys helle within
He shalle never owte, as elerkes knawes,
Therfor , helaniy , let be thy dyn.
Job thi servande also
In his tyme ean telle
That nawder Ireyndc nor I'o
Shalle fynde relese in helle.
Jesus.
He sayde fulle soythe, that shalle thou se.
In helle shalbe no relese,
Bot of that place then ment he
AA'^here synfulle care shalle ever encrese.
In that baylle ay shalle thou be ,
Where sorowes seyr shalle never sesse ,
And my folk that wer most fre
Shalle pas unto the place of peasse ;
For thay Avere here with my wille,
And so thay shalle furthe weynde ,
Thou shalle thi self fulfyllc ,
Ever wo withoutten ende.
Sathanns.
AVhi , and wiile thou take theym al!e me fro?
Then thynk me thou ar unkynde ;
IVay , I pray the do not so ,
Umthynke the better in thy myndc,
Or els let me with the {>o ;
I pray the leyfe me not behynde.
Jesus.
Xay, tratur, thou shalle won in wo.
And tille a stake I shalle the bvnde.
UPSS MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Sathanas.
Now here I \vo^\ thou ineiiys emaiig:
With mesure and malyce (oi* to melle,
Bot sen tbou says it shalbe lang-,
Yit soiu let alle wayes with us tlwelle.
Jesus.
Yis, witt tbou welle , els were {yreatt wraufj ,
Tbou sballe have Caym tbat slo Abelle,
And alle tbat bastes tbeym self to bang:.
As dyd Judas and Arcbitopbelle ;
And Daton and Abaron and alle of tbare assent,
Cursyd tyranttes ever ilkon tbat me and inyn tormenle.
And alle tbat wille not lere my law
Tbat I bave left in land for new
Tbat makes my commyng: knaAV,
And alle my sacramcntes persewj
My detb, my rysyng-, red by raw,
Wbo trow tbaym not tbay ar untrewe.
Unto my dome I sballe tbeym draw.
And jnjje tbaym wars tben any Jew.
And tbay tbat lyst to lere my law and lyf tberby
Sballe never bave barmes bere , bot weltb as is wortby.
Snthnnas.
IVow bere my band , I bold me payde ,
Tbise poyntcs ar playnly for my prow.
If tbis be trew as tbou bas saide
We sballe bave mo tben we bave now ;
Tbise lawes tbat tbou bas late bere laide
I sballe tbeym lere not to alow,
If tbay myu take tbay ar betraide ,
And I sballe turne tbeym tytte I trow.
I sballe walk eest , I sballe walk west,
And {>ar tbeym wyrk ^velle war.
Jesus.
Nay feynde , tbou sbalbe feste ,
That thou sballe flyt no far.
EXTRVCTIO A.MMAniM. 17t
SttthaiKis.
Feste? fy! tliat >vcr«' a nykyjl lifsoii !
Belainy, thmi shall.' l.c sinytt.
Jt'SllS.
Dfvillo, I conuiiauiulr (In- lo j;<> (louiio
Into till sole ^vlicrc tlntii sliallc syl.
St 1 1 /i dims.
Alas ! for (loylle and care
I synk into helle pyt.
Sir Satlianas , so saide I are ,
Now shalle thou have a fytt.
Jrsu.:
Com now t'lullic my childcr allc ,
I ibr{yyi" yon yonre mys;
Withe m<> now {fo ye shalle
To joy and endles blys.
aidant.
Lord, thou art lulle mel.yll*- ol'm>j;h(.
That mel.ys thi self on this manere ,
To help us alle as thou had us hi^^ht,
AVhen hoihe fortett I and my lere ;
Here have we dwelt withoutlen lijfht
Four thousand and six hundreth yere.
Now se we hv this solempne sijfht
How that mercy makes us derc.
Eva.
Lord, we were worthy more loriiamenles to tast.
Thou help us lord oC (hy mercy, as thou of myj,dil is mast.
tfo/ianiirs.
LortI . I love the inwardly.
That me wold make thi messynj;:ere,
Thi eommynjf in erthe lo ery ,
And teche thi fayth to folk in fere;
Sythen before the forto dy.
To brynfj thevm bod^vord that be here.
474
MIKAC.rE - Pf.AYS.
How tbay sbuld have llii help la by.
Now se I alle those poynfes appere.
Moijses.
David, thi prophette trew,
Of tymes told unto us;
Of thi commyug: he knew.
And saide it sbuld be thus.
David.
As I saide ere yit say I so ,
Ne derelinniias , domine ,
Animam meam in inferno ;
Leyfe never my saulle , Lord , after the ,
In depe belle wbedur dampned sballe }|0
SufFre thou never tbi sayntes to se
The sorow of tbaym that won in wo.
Ay fiille of fyltbe and may not fle.
Moifses.
Make myrtbe bothe more and les ,
And love oiire lord we may,
That has brogbt us fro bytternes
In blys to abyde for ay.
Ysaias.
Therfor now let us synjj-
To love oure lord Jesus,
Unto his blys be wille us bryu}j-,
Te DcKin Uiudtimus.
EXPLICIT EXTRVOTIO ANIMARUM AB IXPERXO.
I7i
jn)iTii'M.
Fulle darfe has bene ouic ile«le, i'or tlii coiumeu is ourc eare.
This day to take oure uiede, tor nothyiij; may we spare.
Alas ! I harde that home that eallys us to the dome .
Alle that ever were borue Ihider behofys theyui com;
May nathere land ne se us fro this dome hide.
For ferde fayn wold I fle, hot I must nedes abide;
Alas I I stand {yreat ajyhe to loke on that Justyce,
Ther may no man of laj^he help with no tjuantyce.
Vokctlys ten or Jwelfe may none help at this nede ,
Bot ilk man lor his self shalle answere for his dede.
Alas , that I was borne !
I sc now me beforne ,
That Lord with woundes fyfe ;
How may I on hym loke ,
That falsJY hvni forsoke ,
When I led synfulle lyfe ?
Tercius Mains.
Alas! earel'iille eatyfes may we ryse ,
Sore may we wrynjy cure handes and wepe.
For eursid and sore eovytyse
Dampnyd be we in belle fulle depe;
AVroffht we never of Godes ser\'yce,
His romaundements wold we not kepe ,
Bot oil fymes niaitle we saerifiee
To Sathanas when othere can slepe.
AlasI now wakyns alle oure were,
Oure wykyd warkes can we not bide,
Bot on oure bakes we must theyni here.
That wille us soroo on ilka syde.
17G
MinACMC - PLAYS.
Oure tledys this day ^ville do us dei-e,
Oure domys man lier«* we must abide ,
And leyndes, that wille us felly fere,
Thare pi"ay to have us tor thare pride.
Brymly before us be thai broght,
Oiu'e dedes that shalle dam us bidene ;
That eyre has harde , or harte tho{fht ,
That mowthe has spokyn, or ee sene.
That foote has gone, or haude wrogrht.
In any tyme that we may mene,
Fulle dere this day now bees it boght.
Alas , unborne then had I bene !
Quavtiis 3I(dits.
Alas, I am forlorne! a spytus blast here blawes,
I harde welle bi yonde hoi-ne, I wote wherto it drawes;
I wold I were unborne, alas! that this day dawes ,
Now mon be dampnyd this morne my warkys, my dedes,
my sawes.
Now bees my curstnes hyd , alas! I may not layn
Alle that ever I dyd , it bees put up fulle playn.
That I wold fayn were hyd , my synfuUe wordes and vayn
Fulle new now mon be rehynyd up to me agayn.
Alas! fayn wold I fle for dedes that I have done,
Bot that may now not be, I must abyde my boyn,
I trowed never to have sene this dredfulle day thus soyn;
Alas ! what shalle I say when he sittes on his tronc ?
To se his woundes bledande this is a didfulle case,
Alas! how shalle I stand or loke hym in the face,
So curtes I hym fand that gaf me life so laug a space.
Mi care is alle command, alas! where was my grace?
Alas! eatyffes unkynde , where on Avas oure thoght?
Alas! where on was oure mynde, so Avykyd warkes we wroghte?
To se how he was pynde , how dere oure luf he boght ,
Alas! we were fulle blynde, now ar we wars then noght.
Alas ! my covetyse, myne ylle wille , and myn ire ,
Ml neghbur to dispise most was my desyre ;
JIDITIIM. 177
I cleiuyil over at luv dovyse , luc !ho[flil I had no pcyre ,
^Vitli my soU' sore may 1 grisc , now am «jnyt my hyre.
Where I >vas noate to {jo and have my wordes at >ville,
IVow am I set fnlle thro and t'ayn to hohl me slille;
I went both to and fro, me ihojfht I did never ille.
Ml nej,dd)nrs for to slo or hnrt withoutten skllle.
Wo worthe ever the fader that {fate mc to lie borne!
That ever he let me stir hot that I had bene forlorne ;
"Warul l)e my moder, and warid be the morne
That I was borne of hlr, alas, for shame and skorne !
I*riiniis ^i)tgelns , cum gladio.
Stand not tojfeder, parte in two,
Alle sam shallc ye not be in blys ,
Oiirc lord of heven wille it be so.
For many of you has done amys;
On his rijjht hand yc {jood shalle {jo,
The way to heven he shalle yon wys ;
Ye wykid sanies ye weynd hym fro ,
On his left hande as none of his.
Jesus.
The tjiue is common, I willo make ende.
My Fader of heven wille it so bo ,
Therfor tille erthe now willo I ^^oyndo,
My selfe to sytt in majestio ;
To dele my dome I wUle discende ,
This body willo I bore with me.
How it was di{jht man's mys to amende
Alle man's kyndo ther shalle it so.
Primus Dfpmnu.
Oute, haro, out, out! barkyn to this borne,
I was never in dowlo or now at tliis morne ,
So sturdy a show to son that I was borne
Hard I never bore abowte, in ernesle no in skorne.
A wonder ;
I was bondo fullo fast
In yrt'ns for to last .
Pi
1^8
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Bot inv bamlos thai lirast
Aud slioke alie in sonder.
Secitiulns D(emon.
I shotcrtle and slioke, I herd siche a rerd ,
When I harde it I «j[wokc for alle that I lerd,
Bot to swere on a hoke I durst not aperd ,
I durst not loke for alle niedillc erd
Fulle paylle ;
Bot gyrned and gnast,
My force did I frast , . ■
Bot I wroghte alle wast.
It niyghte not avaylle.
Primus Dcemou.
It was like to a trumpe, it had sich a sownde,
I felle on a lumpe for ferd that I swonde.
Secundum Dfcmon.
There I stode on iny stumpe I stakerd that stoAvnde.
There chachid I the crumpc , yit held I my grounde
Halfe nome.
Primus Dwmon.
Make redy om-e gere.
We ar like to have were.
For now dar I swere ~-
That doniysday is comme;
For alle oure saules ar wente and none ar in helle.
Secundus Dwmon.
Bot we go we ar shente, let us not dwelle ,
It sittes you to tenle in this mater to melle,
As a pere in a parlamente what ease so hefelle;
It is nedcfuUe
That ye tente to youre awne,
W^hat draght so he drawne ,
If the courte he knawen
The juge is right dredfuUe.
Primus Dannou.
For to slando this (onie thon <'ars mo "rele.
SrcniuIitM Du'inou.
Let us jjo to this dome up AVallyii Slrcte.
Primus Divmnn.
I li.itl lever j;o to Home; yei thryse nii iii> I'clc,
Tlirii fiu'lo jjrefe yonde yrome , or uilli Iimh lor to mete;
For Mysely
He spekys on trete,
His paustee is jjrete,
IJot hejiyu he to tlirete
He lokes I'ulle {jrisly:
13ot fast take oiire rentals, liy , let us go hence!
For as this fals the {j-reat sentence.
Seciindus Da'iiion.
Thai ar here in my dais, fast stand we to fence.
Ay-ans thise danipnyd sanies ^xithoiit re[tenteiice ,
And just.
Pfimiis Dd'nao)!.
How so the {jam crokys ,
E\auiyn oiire hokys.
Secundus Dwnion.
Here is a haj; fiiUe , lokys.
Of pride and of lust ,
Of wrafTfjers and wr^ars, a liajy fnlle of hrefes.
Of carpars and er>ars, of mychei-s and thefes ,
Of lurdans and lyars that no man lef\s.
Of flytars, of flyars, and renderars nl" rellSs.
This can I,
or .ilk\M aslates
That {JO hi the {fatvs.
Of poore pride, that God hates,
Twenty so many.
Primus Dtrimni.
Peasse, I praN (he. he slill.-. I ia;;he ilial I l.M.I.e,
Is Ofjhfe ire in thi i.iile and ih.ii shalle (lio.i diMii.e .>
«|®0 MIR /VCLE - PLAYS.
Secundtis Dcemon.
Sir, so mekille ille wille that Ihay wold synke
Thare foes in a fyere stille; hot not alle that I thynke
Dai" I say,
Bot belbre hym he pi'ase hyni,
Behynde he myssase hpn.
Thus doAvl>ille he mase hym,
Thus do thai today.
Primus Dcemon.
Has thou oght writen there of the femynyu gender?
Secinidus Dcemon.
Yei , mo then I may here of rolles forto render ;
Thai ar sharp as a spere if thai seme hot slender.
Thai ar ever in were if thai he tender,
Ylle fetyld;
She that is most meke ,
"When she semys fulle seke ,
She can raise up a reke
If she he Avelle netyld.
Primus Dcemon.
Thou art the best hyne that ever cam besyde us.
Secnnclus Dcemon.
Yei hot <«o we, master myue, yet ^\.o\A I we hyde us.
Thai have hlowen lang- syne , thai wille not abide us ,
We may lightly tyne, and then wille ye chide us
Togeder.
Primus Dcemon.
Make redy oure tolys,
For we dele with no folys.
Secuntlus Dcemon.
Sir, alle clerkys of oure scolys
Abowne furthe theder;
Bot, sir, I telle you before had domysday oght tarid
W^e must have higgid helle more , the warld is so warid.
lai
Primus Itipmou.
IVow {jetl no (l()\\l»ill<> slorc of bodjs myscaiid
To the soules nlurc lli.ii wmc, lu>thc sam to l)c luirrid.
Tl.is.' r(.llrs
Ar of hakbytars ,
Ami fals qxiost dytars,
I had no help of wrilars
Rot thlsi- two dalles;
Faitlie and tro^vlhe, inalVay , have ao fete to stride.
The poore pepylle must pay if 0{>ht l»e in haiide ,
The drede of God is away and lawc out of lande.
Primus Dd'moii.
By that wist I that doniysilay ^vas at hande
In sesou.
Si'CifH(fits Divninn.
Sir, it is saide in oUl sawes ,
The lonjyere that day dawes ,
^Vars pepilh' , wars K'»w es.
Primus Dicmaii.
I la{j;he at ihi reson ;
Allt' lliis >vas token doiuysday to drede,
Fulie oft was it spokyn, fulle few take hede ,
Bot now shaHe we he wrokyn of thare falsh«'de.
For now licsc unlokyn many dern ih'dc
III ire;
Alle tliarc synnes shalli- he knouen,
Otiierr mens, then tliare ow ne.
Secinitlus IJtrmnii.
Bot if tliis draj;lit l)c SM-Wr dr.iuiMi
Don is in llic nnre.
I uliviUiis.
Whi spyr ye not sj r no «piestyons7
I am oone of yonre order and oone of \our sonsj
I stanch- al uJV trisliir wlii-n ollicre men s!u»iies.
mn
MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Primus D(enion.
IVovv Ihou art myn awiie cpierestur,
I wote where thou wonnes;
Do telle me.
Tutivilhts.
I was yoiire chefe tollare.
And slthen courte rollar.
Now am I master LoUar,
And of sich men I melle me ;
I have hrogfht to youre hande of saules, dar I say.
Mo than ten thowsand in an howre of a day ;
Sora at aylle howse I fande, and som of ferray,
Som cursid , som hande , som yei som nay ;
So many
Thus hrojjht I on hlure,
TIjus dyd I my cure.
Primus Deem on.
Thou art the hest sawgeoure
That ever had I any.
Tutivillus.
Here a rolle of ragman of the roAvndc tahille ,
Of hrelfcs in my hag, man, of synnes dampnahille,
Unethes may I wag, man, for wery in youre stahille
Whils I set my stag, man.
Secuudus Dittmon.
Ahide , ye ar ahllle.
To take wage 5
Thow can of cowrte thew,
Bot lay downe the dcwe
For thou wille he a shrew ,
Be thou com at age.
Tudvillus.
Here I he gesse of many uyee hoket.
Of care and of curstnes, hetliyng and hoket,
Gay gere and witles, his hode set on koket.
As prowde as pennyles, his slefe has no poket.
i»r.
r.ill.- HMlIrs;
>\illi lli.iif lu'ininyd sluiyii.
All.- Il.is inusl \h- .Ioiic.
Hot ISri" is «nit at liy«» noync
And his hariics hredeles.
A liorno ami a (Inch ax, his slefc must he llokyl,
A s\th' heilo and a fare fax, his {{owne must he spekyll,
'I'iius toke I youre tax, thus ar my l»ohys hlehyt.
Pn'mits Dieitioti.
'I'linu art hesi cm thi wax that ever uas ch^kyt.
Or liiHn\en ;
A\ilh hordes ^^\\\^' thou fille us,
Itol teUe thi name liUe us.
Dttivillus.
Mv name is Tulivillus.
3Iv hr)rne is hla>ven;
FrfUfniiiiii vrrhnnnn Tulivilliis coUiijit fiorum ,
liflzabitb til(/i>riini . lielial beliitm doliorum.
Seen II fills D(emoii.
What, I s<" thou ean of {;Tamory and som \\\\A .tf arli
Had I ImiI a penny on llie \vold I ^varle.
I'ntivilliis.
or leniell\s a (jiianlile ii<>re l\nde I jtarle.
Primus Dwinon.
Tulivillns, let sc , Codes forl»ol thou sparte!
TiiliviHus.
So joly ,
Ilka his in a L'inde .
Like a kndy nere hanrle ,
So freshe and so plesande,
Afakes men to foly.
If she he never so fowlle a chtwde . m\[\\ hir Keiles ami hi
pvnnes.
The shrew hir srlf ean shrowdi'. Imtli liir chekys ami hir
eh\ nnes.
184 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
She can make it fulle prowde with japes and with gynnes,
Hir hede as hy as a clowde, hot no shame of hir synnes
Thai fele;
"When she is thus paynt.
She makes it so quaynte,
She lokes like a saynt.
And wars then the deyle.
She is hornyd like a kowe fon syn.
The cuker hyng es so side now , furrid with a cat skyn ,
Alle thise ar for you, thay ar commen of youre kyn.
Secundus Dwmon.
Now, the best body art thou that ever cam here in.
Tutivillns.
An usag-e ,
Swilk dar I imdertake,
Makes theym breke thare wedlake.
And lif in syn for hir sake.
And breke thare awne spowsage.
Yet a poynt have I fon, I telle you before.
That fals swerers shalle hider com mo than a thowsand
shore ;
lu sweryng thai grefe Codes son, and pyne hym more and
more ,
Therfor mon thai with us won in belle for ever more.
I say thus ,
That rasers of the fals tax ,
And gederars of greyn wax,
Diabolus est mendax
Et pater ejus.
Yit a poynte of the new gett to telle wille I not blyn,
Of prankyd gownes and shulders up set, mos and flokkes
sewyd wyth in,
To use siche gise thai wille not let, thai say it is no syn,
Bot on sich pilus I me set and clap thaym cheke and chyn,
IVo nay.
David in his sawtere says thus ,
l«o
That to hello shalle ihay lius ,
Cum stiis ndinventiotUbiis ,
For oiiys and lor ay.
Yit of thlst' kyrkrlialorars ht-rc ar a meiiee ,
Of hari'anars and okcrars and lufars of syiuoucc.
Of nmlifis and ro>vners, God castes tliayui out trulee
From his temple ;dle sieh uiysdoers , 1 each thaym then
to lue
Fulle soyn;
For writen 1 wote it is
In the Gospelle, A\ithoulteii uiys,
Et earn fecistis
Spelnncam lutvomini.
Yit of the synnes seven soni thyn{,^ specialle
>'ow nalely to neven , that rounys over idle ,
Thise laddes thai leven as lordes rialle ,
At ee to he even pictiirde yn palle
As kynjjes;
May he duj| hyni a doket,
A kodpese like a pokett,
llyni ihvnk it no hoket
His taylle when he Avrynj>es.
His hiddokkys thai lowke like walk uiylne elog'ges
His hede is like a stowke , hurlyd as ho{f{fes ,
A welle hlawen howke thisc fry{fg'es as fro{rjjcs ,
This jelian jowke dryfys he no dojjfjes
To felter.
Bot with youi'e yolow lokkys ,
For alle youre many mokkes,
Ye shalle clym on helle erokkys
With a halpeny heltere.
And Xelle with hir nyfyls of crisp and of sylke.
Tent welle youre twyfyls your nek ahowtc as mylke;
AVith your hendys and youre hridyls of Sathan llie ^^lliike.
Sir Sathanas idyls you for tha ilke
m^
MIRACLE- PI.AYS.
This gille knave ,
It Is open Ijchyndc ,
Befoi'o is it pyiide ,
Bcwar of the west ^vynde
Yoiirc sniok lest it wafe. '
Of ire and of euvy fyude I herto,
Of eovetyse and glotony and many other mo ,
Thai calle and thai cry ..ffo we now, jjo ,
I dy nere for dry," and tlier syt thai so
All ny/jhte,
"With hawvelle and jawvelle,
Syn}}yn{f of lawvelle,
Thise ar howndes of helle.
That is thare rijjht.
In slewthe then thai syn , Goddes warkes thai not M'yrke
To helke thai he(}yn and spew that is irke ,
His liede must ]>e holdyn ther in the myrke ,
Then deffes hym with dyn the ])ellys of the kyrke
AVhen thai clatter; " -
He wishys the clerke hanjjed
For that he ran"- it ,
Bot thar hym not lanjj it,
What commys ther after.
An<l ye Janettes of the stevA'ys ; and lychoures on loftc
Your l»ai]le now brewys, avowtrees fulle ofte ,
Yonre jyam now {yrev^'ys, I shalle yon set soflc.
Your sorow enewes , com to my crofte
AUe ye;
AUe harlottes and horres ,
An<l hawdes that procures,
To hryii<> thaym to lures ,
Wei com to my see.
Ye lurdans and lyars , myehers and thefes,
Flytars and flyars that alle men reprefes,
Spolars, cxtorcYOnars , welcom,ray lefes!
Fals juror.s and usurars lo symony that clevys.
,i( oirii M.
To t.-lic.
llasarilars and dysnrs.
Fa Is (IimIos forjjars .
Slaiulerars . hakliytnrs .
Allf unU. lull.'.
I*n'mu.<: Dn'inon.
\> lu'ii I liiirilf many swilkc, many spylus and rclle,
Aud few g-ood of ilk*- I had nici\ fllo,
I trowld it drew nort' the prik.
Secitndus Dwinon.
Sir, a wordo of counsrllc ;
Saulfs earn so lli\k no^^ late nnto belle
xVs ever,
Oure porter at hell«' j;;ite
Is halden so stralc .
Ip erly and do>vne late.
He rystys never.
Pvimtis Dceinon.
Thou art perelts ol' tho that ever yit knew 1 .
AVhea I wille may I j;o if (hnu he hy ;
Go we now, we two.
Seciindus Do'iiinn.
Sir, I am redy.
Primus Dwinoii.
Take oure miles also . ye knaue the eause why .
Do eom
And Jeiil ^^(■ll(• (his day.
Scriniflits IhriiKnt.
Sir, as welle as I mav.
Primus Ifirmoii.
Qui vero mala
SecuHflits Dicmuu.
In i(/tiem wternum.
Jesus.
Ilka erealoiue lahe Iciite
What l)odA\arde I shalle \ou hrynf;-.
n7
188 MIKACLE -PLAYS,
Tills wykyd warld away is wente ,
And I am commen as ciowiiyd liynjfj
My foder of heven has me dowue sent.
To deme yoiue dedes and make cndyng;
Commen is the day of Jugemente , .
Of sorow may every synfulle syng-.
The day is commen of catyfnes,
Alle those to care that ar uucleyn ,
The day of hatelle and hitternes ,
Fulle long ahiden has it l>eyn;
The day of drede to more and les ,
Of joy , of tremlyng and of teyn ,
Ilka wight that wykyd is
May say, alas this day is seyn !
[Tunc expandit manits sxtns et ostendif eis vnlncrn xua
Here may ye se my woundes wide
That I suffred for yoiire mysdede,
Thnighe harte , hede, fote, haude and syde ,
Not for my gilte hot for yoiire nede. _
Behald hoth hak, hody, and syde,
How dere I hoght youre hroder hede,
Thise bitter paynes I wold abide ,
To by you blys thus wold I blede.
Mi body was skowrgid withoutten skille,
Also Iher fulle throly was I thrett.
On crosse thai hang me on a hille , .
Bio and blody thus was I belt,
With crowne of thorne thrastyn fulle ille ,
A spere unto my harte thai sett.
Mi harte blode sparid thai not to spille,
Man, for thi luf wold I not Ictt.
The Jues spytt on me spitusly ,
Thai sparid me no more then a thefe.
When thai me smote I stud stilly ,
Agans thaym did I nokyns grefe.
Beholde , mankyndc , this ilke am I ,
I»J>
That lor the sulVrid si»h mysiholr .
Thus was I ilij;ht for thi loly.
Man, loke thi hif was mo fuUe lefe.
Thus was I (li|;lit fhi sorow to slake ,
Man, thus hehovid the l)oru(l to he.
In alle my avo tooke I no wrake ,
My wille it was for hit" of the;
Man. for sorow a{jht the to tpvake.
This dredful day this si{rht to se ,
Alle this sulVred I for thi sake.
Say. man. what sufl'red thou for me?
[T'miic verlens se nd lottos, (licit illis ,
Mi hlessid harnes on my right hande.
Youre dome this day thar ye not drede .
For alle youre joy is now eommaude ,
Youre life in lykynfy shalle ye lede ;
Commes to the kynjjfdom ay lastand.
That von is dijyht for youre good dede ,
Fulle hlithe may ye he there ye stand.
For mckille in heven hees youre mede.
A^'hen I was hungre ye me fed ,
To slek my thrist ye war fulle fre ,
"When I was clothles ye me cled,
Ye wold no sorowe on me se;
In hard prison when I was sted
On my penance ye had pyte,
Fidle seke when I was hroght in hed
Kyndly ye cam to comforth me.
AVhen I was wille and weriest
Ye harherd me fulle esely .
Fulle glad then were ye of youre gest .
Ye plenyd my poverlo fulle pitusly;
Belife ye hroght me of the hest.
And niaido my hed there I shuld ly ,
Therfur in heven shalle he voure rest,
In joy and hlvs to held me by.
li;SO MIRACLE -PI.AYS.
Primus Bonus.
Loril , when hail ibou so mekille uede?
IJunj>TO or tbriisty how my{;ht it he?
Secundus Bonus.
When was om-e harte fre the to feecle ?
In prison when lujght Ave the se?
Tevcius Bonus.
AVhen was thou seke or wantyil wede ?
To harhowre the when helpiil we?
Quartus Bonus.
When had thou nede of oure fordede ?
When did we alle this dede for the?
Jesus.
Mi l)lissid harnes, I shalle you say
AVhat tyme this dede was to me done ,
When any that nede had nyght or day,
Ashyd you help and had it sone ;
Youre fre harte saide theyin never nay,
Erly ne late, myd day ne noyn ,
As ofte sithes as thai wold pray ,
Thai thurte hot aske and liave thare hoyn.
[Tunc dicet malis.
Ye eursid catyfs of Karnes hyn.
That never me comforlhid in my care ,
Now I and ye for ever shalle twyn ,
In doylle to dwclle for ever mare ;
Youre l)itter hayles shalle never hlyn
That ye shall thole when ye eom thare;
Thus have ye servyd for youre syn.
For derfe dedes ye have doyn are.
When I had myster of mete and drynke ,
Catyfs, ye chaste me from youre yale.
When ye were set as syres on ]>ynke
I stode ther oute wery and wate.
Yet none of you wold on me thynke.
To have pite on my po»u'e astate.
Jl 1)1 111 M. liM
Thcrfor to lull.' I shall.- you mmI..- .
AVi'II.' arc ye worthy to j;() that {;al(>.
A\ h.'n 1 ^vas sckc ami soi'yest
Yf visel luf uoj;ht , I'or I was poorc? ;
In prisHii fast wli.-ii I was Test
\\ Old none .)!' mmi IoI,.- h()^^ 1 Coore ;
A\"h.'u I wisl uc'viT ^vhrrc l.» ri'st
With ilynlos ye drofo ui.> Iroiu youri' tloorc
But over to pride then were ye prest;
Mi flesh, my hloode, ye oil forswore.
Clothles, when that I was eold
That nere hande for you yode I nakyd.
Mi niyschefe saj^ho ye many folde,
AVas none of you my sorow slakyd,
Bot ever forsoke me yonjf and olde ,
Therfor shalle ye now be forsakyd.
Primus Jlalns.
Lor.le . when had thou, that alle has,
llunjjcr or liirist.'. sen tliou God is?
When was that thou in pris.tn was ?
"When was thou nak^d or harherles?
Seanidus Jflalus.
AVhon myg-ht we see the seke, alas!
And kvd the alle this unkyndnes ?
Tcrn'us Mains.
Wli.n was w<- l.-l 111.- h.-lpl.-s pas?
Wh.'v (K.I we 111.- tins wikydnes?
(JikivIks Mdliis.
Alas, for .h.NlI.- this .lay!
Alas . that ever I it abode !
I\ow am I dampncd for ay,
This douu' may I n.tl avoydc.
Jf'SllS.
Catyfes, alas! ofle as it b.-tyde
Thai nodt'l'iille .tj;ht askv.l in inv name.
1^
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Ye hard tliein noght, youre oeres was hid ,
Yoiirc help to thaym was not at hame;
To mo was that unkyndnes kyd -
Therfor ye bei'e this bitter blame.
To the lest of myne when ye og-hte dyd,
To me ye dyd the self and same.
{Tunc dicet honis , —
Mi chosyn childer, come to me,
AVith me to dwelle now shalle ye weynde,
Ther joy and blys ever shalle be ,
Youre life in lykyng: for to leynde.
[Tunc dicet malis, —
Ye warid wifjhtes , from me ye fle ,
In hello to dwelle withoutten ende,
Thor shalle ye no{>ht bot sorow so.
And sit hi Sathanas the foynde.
Primus D(emon.
Do now go furthe, triis, go we hyne,
Unto endles wo, ay lastand pyne ,
Nay , tary not so , we get ado syne.
Secundus Dcemon.
Flyto hyder warde , ho , Ilai'ry Rnskyno
War oute !
The raeyn shalle ye nobylle, -
And I shalle syng the trebille ,
A revant the deville
Tille alle this hole rowte. ^
Tntivillns.
Yoiire lyfes ar lorne and common is yoiire care,
Ye may ban ye were borne the bodes you bare.
And youre faders beforne , so cursid ye ar.
Primus Dcemon.
Ye may wary the morue and day that yo ware
Of youre moder
First borne forto be ,
For the wo yo moii dro.
lOo
I'n'niiix Itd'nnni.
Ilkoii of you moil sc
Sonnv of odor;
Where is the jfolil .-iiul the }roo(l ihat ye jjederd toj,'-e<lir?
The luery meuee th;it yode hider and thedir?
TiitivUlus.
Ci.tv {;vrd>ls, j;tj;j;id hode , pr.-iiihyd j;(nviu's . Aviiedir?
Il.ive \«' \\\\. or ve ^v«»(l(' \ c l»ro|;hl im»I liidcr
IJot sonnve.
And your sviiues in yourc ncl.livs.
Priinns Da-mon.
I heshrew lliayiu ih.il rekkjs.
He eoiiies to hile that hekkys
Voure hodves to liorow.
Sccnndns Dwmon.
Sir, 1 wold cut thayiii a skawte and make ihc^ui he Knaweu.
Thay were sturdy and hawte, great hosle have Miai hLnvne,
Youre pride and yoiire pransawte Avhat «illc it };a\viie ?
"V e tolde ilk mans del'awte and (orj>ate youre awne.
I'nli'i'illiis.
Moreover
Thare nefrhhurs thai demyd,
Tliaym self as it seniyd ,
Hot iKtw ar thai ilnnvd
From s.iMites lo recover.
I'riinns /hrnioii.
Thare nejjhhurs thai towchid ^vlth wordes fulle ille ,
The warst ay thai sowehid and had no skille.
Srri(ii(liis Dtt'inon.
The pennys thai jtowcjiid and liild IImmii sfille.
The negons thai mou.liid and li:td no wille
For hart i.M-r .
Bot rirhe and ille dr.ly.
Gederand and f;red\ .
Sor napand and iiedy
^ (Mire ifodo forlo spare.
19^ MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Tutivillas.
For alle that yc spard and dyd extorcyon,
For youre cbilder ye card, yoiire heyre and youre son
Now is alie In oure ward , youre yeres ar i"on ,
It is ooinmen in vowg-ard youre dame malison,
To l»ynde it;
Ye set l>i no enrsynjj- , - % -
IVe no siehe smalle thynjj-.
Primus D(emon.
Xo , bot prase at the partynjy ,
For now nion ye fynde it;
Youre leyfes and your females, ye brake youre wedlake.
Telle me now what it vales alle tbat mery lake?
Se so falsly it falys.
Secnndus Darmon.
Syr, I dar undertake
Tbai wille telle no tales , bot se so tbai qwake
For moton,
He tbat to tbat gram g-ose ,
Now namely on old tose.
Tniivillus.
Tbou beld up tbe lose
Tbat bad I Ibr.ootten.
Pvinms Dcemon.
Sir, I trow tbai be dom soni tyme were f'ulle melland,
Welle ye se bow tbai jjlom.
Secnndus Datmon.
Tbou art ay telland ,
Kow sballe tbai have rom in pyk and tar ever dwellaud.
Of thare sorow no some, bot ay to be yellaud
In oure fostre.
Tuilvillus.
By yoTU-e lefe may we niefe you ?
Primus Datmon.
Sbowe furtbe , I sbrew you.
Jl UITII M. I9i>
Sritintiiis Itn'innn.
Vet tMiijjflit sli.illc I slu'w J oil
A in«'s<' of illo <»stro.
TntwiUits.
or this.' cuisi,! (nisuunir ami all.- (lia( lu'ic I.'mhIcs ,
Bhn\ , Axollcs IhmIc and oiilclioriir, iiou naiiu'ly my IVoyiulrs.
Primus D<rmi»i.
Ilia haillo were ye l)oriie, yoiire awne sliaiiie you slieyiiiles
That slialle ve fyade or to inoriie.
Secitndns Dietnon.
Com now Avjtli feyiules
To youro anjjre;
Youre iletles you dam,
<]om. jj^o we now sam.
It is eonimen youre {>'<im.
Com- tary no lonjjer.
Primus Bonus.
"We love the, Lord, in alkyn thynjf ,
That for thyne awne has ordand thus ,
That we may have now oure dwellvnjj
In heven hlis jpflen unto us;
Thcrfor lulle hohlly may we synjj
On oure way as we trus,
Make alle myrtlie and lovyny
AVilh Tr Drum Idniimnus.
IVPLK.I I Jl UlTIl
13'
CAADLEM AS - DAV,
OR
THE KILLIING OF THE
CHILDREN OF ISILVEL.
THE NAMES OF THE PLEYERS.
Tlie Poete. ' * ■ - ■'
Kxjnff Heroxvd.
Kmjffht ij.
Umjght iij.
Knifffht iiij ^
ff^atkyn , 3Iessanger.
Symeon, the Bysshop.
Joseph.
Maria.
Anna, Prophetissa.
A firgyn.
Anyelus.
MuUer j.
Mulier ij.
Mulier iij.
Mulier iiij.
Jhan Parfre (fed write thys hnoke.
The (iriijiiial of lliis [.lay is preserved amon{> the Digby MSS.
in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and has the date of ii512. No par-
ticulars are knoun of Jluni Pnrfrc.
CAXhLK^IAS-DAV
PoeUt.
This soleiniie fest to be had in rt'iiienluauiicp
Of hlisspd seynt Anne, moder to our lady,
Whos ryjyht discent was fro kynjys allyaunce ,
Of T)av^(l and Salamon ^vitnosseth the story;
Hir hlissid doui;hler, that rallld is Mary,
By Gods provision an huslxiiid shiiid have,
Callid Joseph, of nature old and drye.
And 111!' inoder unto Christ that all the AvorUl shal
Tliis jjlorious maiden doii{>hler unto Anna,
In whos worship this fest we honour.
And hv rcsendilaunec likenyd unto manna ,
AVIehe is in tast ecelestiall of savour ,
And of .Ierie<» the sote rose floure,
Tiohl Aliryson eallid in pielure ,
Chosvn for to here manhynds savyour;
With a preroffatlve above eelie ereature.
These jj-rett thyn{«s reniembred, after our entent
Is for to worshypj)e oure lady and seynl Anne:
AVe bt' «-oin<*n heder as servaunls dilij;en(
Onri' piiMCNsc ill slii'wc \<Mi .IS uc can;
200
niRAOLE-PLAY!
Whorlor of Leiievoleuce ^\e pray every man,
To have us excused, that we no better doo ,
All other tyme to emende it if we can,
Be the {>race of God , if otir cunnyug- he ther loo.
The last yeer we shewid you, and in this phice ,
How the shepherds of Crist l)y the made JetifieatJon,
And thre kynges that ycome fro the cun trees he {jrace
To worshyp Jesu with enteer devotion:
And now we propose with hooll jiffcctioa.
To procede in cure matter as we can,
And to shew you of oure ladies purification,
That she made in the temple, as the usag-e was than:
And after that slutll Ilfrowd have tydyngs.
How the tlire kyufrs he goon hoom another way ,
That Avere wdth Jesu, and made ther offryngs ,
And promysed Itynge Herowd, without delay
To come a geyn hy him ; this is no nay.
And whan he wist that thei were goon.
Like as a wodnian he gan to fray.
And commaunded his knyght forth to go a noon
In to Israeli , to serche every towne and cite
For all the children that thei cowde ther fynde.
Of ij yeers age and under, sparyng neither honde nor free,
But sle them all, either for foo or frende;
Thus he commaunded in his furious mynde ;
Thought that Jesu shuld have he oon.
And yitt he Osiled of his froAvard mynde;
For, hy Gods providauuee ., our lady was in to Egypte gon.
Frends , this processe Ave propose to pley as Ave can.
Before you all here in your presens ,
To the hononre of God, oure lady, and seynt Anne;
Beseechyng- you to geve us peseable audiens.
And ye menstrallis doth your diligens;
And ye virgynes , shcAve sume sport and plesure.
These people to solas, and to do God revcrens;
As ye he appoyiited doth your hesy cure.
( i>ui.i:M \s- iiA». *20l
IfrroHx/.
Above nil fc) n{jcs uiulor l\w oIowcIys «'rislalJ ,
Roy.-illy I n'ijj-iK' iii mcULo Mltliout moo,
or plos.iiint [irospeiytio I l.ihhe noii at all;
Fortimc I ryiulo. that she is ii<»f my i'oo ,
I am kyiijr IltTOMd, I Mill It In- Kiwnvcii so.
Most stroiij; and myjjhty in It'M lor to lyjjlil .
And to vcn(|iiyslic my cncmycs that a fieynst me do ;
I am most he drt'd Mitli my hronde biyglit.
My |;Tctt {••oddos I {jlorylye mIiIi j;ladnesse.
And to lionoure them I kucle up on my knee;
For Ihri have sett me in solas from all sadnesse,
'Ihal no conqiicroure nor knyj'Lt is eompared to me:
All the that relielle a {jeyns me ther hane I will be.
Or grndye a j;eyns my {yodds on hyll or bethe;
All snebe reb«'ll(rs I shall make for to flee.
And Avith bard piinyshements putt them to del he.
AVhat erthely Mretches, Mhal piunpe and pride.
Do a Jjeyns my kiMes or Mithstonde mvne entent,
Thei shall snfli'e moo and l)t'yne tbnij'b bak and sv«Ie.
With a very mysehaunee ther fleshe shal be all to rent;
And all my foes shall have suehc eommaundenienl
That they shalbe {flad to do my byddvn ay ,
Or ells thei shalbe in moo and raysebeif permanent,
That thei shall fere me ny{;bl and day.
My niessan{|er, at my eonniiaundenuMit come bcdcr to
And take bed Mbat I shall to the sav :
I charjfc the, loke a bouj^bt lburj|li my «'un(re
To aspye if ony rebell do a {^oynsl our lay:
And if ony suebe eome in thv Mav ,
Brynjfe lieni in to our Iin;;Ii prrsens.
And we sb.il sc lliiin <<ine(lid . or llwi ifo hens.
Ml2 MIT\ACr.E - PLAYS.
IVathifn , the 31essan(/er.
My lord, your coimuauiulement I have I'ulfilled
Evyii to the uttermosl of my pore power;
And I wold shew you more, so ye wold he eonteiilid.
But I dare not, lest ye wold take it in anger:
For if it liked yon not, I am sure my deth were nere ;
And Iherfor, my lord, 1 wole hold my peas.
Heroivd.
I warne the , thu traytoi- , that thu not seas
To ohserve every thyng- thu knowest a jjeyns our reverence.
3fessanfjer.
My lord, if ye have it in your remenhraunee ,
Ther were iij straunjyer knyghts, hut late in your presence.
That went to Bedlem to offre with due ohservaunce.
And promysed to eome a p:eyn hy you without variaunce;
But hy ther honys ten, thei he to you untrue.
For homeward an other wey thei doo sue,
Herod.
Now he my grett ^jodds, that he so full of myght
I will he a vengid upon Israeli, if this tale he true.
3Iessaiiger.
That it is, my lord, my trouth I you plight.
For ye founde me never false syn ye me knewe.
Herod.
I do pereeyve , though I he here in my cheff cite ,
Callid Jerusalem, my riche royall town,
I am faisiy discey ved hy straunge knyghts thre :
Therfor , my knyghts , I warne you , without deiaeion ,
That ye make serche thurgh oute all my reg-ion,
Withoute any tarieng my wille may he seen.
And sle ail the children without exeepeion
Of to yeers of age , that within Israeli hene :
For within my self thus I have concluded.
For to avoide a wey all interrupcion ,
Sythenes thes thre knyghts have me thus falsly deluded .
As iit manner hy froward collusion ,
A>DI.EMAS - UW.
*n)ry
Ami ;i [;eyn ri-sorted lioui in lo iher re{;lon :
But vitt . maujjrt' llier Lcrts, 1 shall avciijjid be:
Botlic ill ItiMlloiii ;iii(l my provynces overyeboiu' ,
Sic ail III.' cliiMnii lo kcpo iny libfrlc.
Miles j.
Aly lord, y«' may ho sure that I shall not span-
For lo t'uUilU* your nohlo t'ommaundomcnl ,
"VVith sharpt* swcrde to perse them all bare.
In all cuntroes that be to you adjaeent.
3Iiles ij.
And for your sake to observe your eommaundemeut.
Miles iij.
IVot on of tliein all our hands shall astert.
Miles iiij.
For we wole eruelly execute your jud}|emenl
AVith swerde and spere to perse them thurjjh the hert.
Ilei'od.
i thanke you, my knygfhts, but loke ye, make no tarienjj-.
Go armc your self in stele shynyng- bright ;
And couceyve in your mynds, that I am your kynj;-,
Gevyng you charjje, that with all your myght
la coullrmacion of my tytell of ryght.
That ye go and loke for myn advantage ,
And sle all the children that come in your sijjhl
AViche ben within tuo yeers of age.
Now be ware , that my byddyng ye truly obey ,
For non but I shall reigne with equyte;
Make all the children on yoiu* s^verds to dey ,
I charge you , spare not oon for mercy nor pyte.
Am not I lord antl kyng of the cuntrc?
The cro^nie of all Jerusalem longith to me of ri|;ht :
Who so ever sey nay of high or lowc degre,
I charjre you , sle all suche that come in your syght.
Miles j.
My lord, he ye sure, aceordyuj'- to vour ^niII.
Like as ye charge us be streigt comniaundemenf .
204 MIRACLE- PLWS.
All tlip cliildroa of Israeli doiilitles we shall kyllo
Within lo yeers of aj'f , this is our entent.
Jlliles tj.
My lord of all Jurye , avc hold you for chef regent,
By tytell of enheritaiinee as your auncestors be forn;
He that seith the contrary, be Mahound, shalbe shent ,
And curse the tyme that ever was born.
Heroff.
I Ihanke you, uiy knyghts, with hooll affection.
And whan ye come a geyn I shall you avaunce ;
Therfor <|ujte you wele in feld and town.
And of all the fondlyngs make a delyveraunce.
[Here the linyghts shall drpnrte from Ilerowd to Israelii and
ll\ ITliYN shaU nhi/dc , ■fcyng thus to Herowd : —
Now , my lord , I heseche you to here my dalyaunce ,
I wolc askc you a bone, if I durst a right;
But I were loth ye shuld take ony displesaunce:
IVow for Mahounds sake, make me a knyght.
For oon thyng I promyse you, I will manly fight,
And for to avenge your quarrell I dare undertake ;
Though I sey my self, I am a man of myght.
And dare live and deyc in this quarrell for your sake ;
For whan I com amonge them, for fere thei shall quake;
And , though thei sharme and ci-ye , I care not a myght ,
But with my sharpc sworde ther ribbes I shall shake
Evyn Ihurgh the guttes for anger and despight.
Herod.
IJe thi troutlie, Watkyn, woldest thu be made a knyght?
Thu hast be my servaunt and messanger many a day.
But thu were never provid in battaile nor in fight.
And therfor to avaunce the so sodenly I ne may:
But oon thyng- to the I shall say.
Be cause I fyude the true in thyn entent.
Forth with my knyghts ihii shall taKe (he "ay.
And (piyte (lie wele, and Ihii shall il nol rejjenl.
S20i>
•Vow a lar{r<'ys . iiiy lord. I .-mi I}j;IiI nrl*- apaul ,
II" I ilo nut ^^('lo. ley uiy lir<l ii|)mii a stoKko ;
I shall \\o sluMV your kuyjfhts Iioav y«' have sfiil .
And amio uiy solf manly and (;o forth on the llidilic .
And if I lynd*' a younj^; child I shall chopjx' it on a liluliko,
Thouj|h thf niodor 1)C anjjry tiic child shalhc sla^n:
But yitt I drcddc no thyng- more than a Avonian >vith a rokkc.
For if I sc ony suchc , be my fcith , I come a {)eyn.
Jleroxvd.
What, shall a Moman with a rokke drive the away?
Fye on the, traitor, now I fremhle for tene .
I have trusted the lonjj^. and many a daye ;
A hold man and an hardy I went thu haddist hen.
// atkijn .
So am I, my lord, and that shalhe seen,
That I am a hold man and hest dare a bvdc.
And ther come an hundred women I wole not fleen ,
But fro morrowe tyll nyjjht with them I dare chide.
And therfor, my lord, ye may trust unto me ;
For all the children of Israeli your knyj^hts and I shall kylle,
I will not spare on, butt dede thei shall he.
If the fader and morlcr >vill let me have my wille.
Ilrrowd.
Thu hu-deyn . take hed what I sey the tyll ,
And hijjh the to my knyjjhls as fast as thu can:
Sey, I warne them in ony wyse th<'r hiood lli.it Ihci s|»iilc.
A houjfht in every cuntre . and li-dc fur no ni.iii.
//'.//Ay»i.
\ay . nay. my lord, w«' ^vyll let for no man.
Though ther come a thousand on a roujrht ;
For your knyfj^hts and I nil! kylle them .ill. if \\*- can:
But for the n^ves that is all my (loiii;hl.
And if I se ony walkvn[j a l»oii;;lil .
I will take {^ood hede tyll the he jjoon .
20H
And assone ns I aspyc that she is oiite,
By my feith , into the hous I Avill go auon.
And this I prouiysc yon, that I sliall never slepe,
But evermore wayte to fynde the children alone;
And if the moder come in , under the Ijench I will crepe ,
And lye stille ther tyii she he }»oou,
Thau manly I shall comie out and hir children sloon,
And whan I have don I shall renue fast away:
It she founde hir child dede, and toke me ther alone,
Be my feith , I am sure ^ve shuld mahe a fray.
Ilerowd.
Nay, harlott, ahyde styllc with my hnyjjhts I warne the,
Tyll the children he slayn all the hooil rought;
And whan thu comyst home a gayn I shall avaunce the,
If thu quyte thee like a man whill thu art oug-ht ,
And if thu pley the coward, I put the owt of dought.
Of me thu shalt neyther have fe nor advauntage,
Therfor I charge you the contre he well sought,
And Avhan thu comyst home shalt have thi wage.
Yis, ser, he my trouthe, ye shall wele knowe
Whill I am oute how I shall aquyte me.
For I propose to spare neither high nor lowe ,
If ther he no man Avole smyte me :
The most I fere the wyves will hete me ,
Yitt shall I lake good hert to me and loke wele ahought.
And hdic that your knyghts he not ferre fro me,
For if I he alone I may sone };ete a Ihfught.
Hc'fod.
I say , hye the hens , that thu were goon ,
And unto my knyghts loke ye take the way.
And sey, I charge them that my comraaundement he don
In all hast possihle without more delay;
And if ther he ony that will sey you nay,
Redde him of his lylV out of hand anon ;
And if thu quyte the wcell unto my pay?
VMH.LMAS-
^07
I shull make llu" a hii>|;lil .i\ .iili yoiis uliaii llm coiiiysl
lumic.
// (tlhjit.
Syr liiijobts, 1 must jyo iorlh \\\l\\ y«ni.
Thus my lord comiuauiulod me lor to don;
Ami if I fliiylf UK' >vei'!l wliill I aui amonjjc you,
I shall)o made. a knyjjht aventrys >vlian I come home:
For oou Ihyuj;- I promyse yoii, I ^vill fi|>hl anon.
If my hert fallc not ivhau I shalhe {jynne;
The most I iere is to come amontje women ,
For thei Hfjhl like devells with ther rolJie Avhan ihei spynnc.
Milrs j.
AVatkyu, I love the, for Ihu art even a man;
If tlui quytc the Tveell in this grett viage ,
I shall sjieke to my lord for the that I can.
That thu shall no more lie neither grome nor page.
Miles ij.
I nyll speke for the that thu shall have hetter wage.
If thii «piyte the manly amonge the wyves;
For thei he as fers as a lyon in a cage ,
"Whan thei are >Token ought to reve men of Iher lives.
{Itrrc (he litiijfjhts and IVatlyn wnlhc ((houtjlit the place
ti/ll Mar>j and Joseph he convrid in to lu/i/il.]
ylnfjt'his.
O Joseph, ryse up, and loke llm lary nought;
Take 3Iary with the, :md in to E{;"ipt flee;
For Jesu ihy sone pursuyd is and soujfht
By kyng Ilerowd, the wiche of grcte inyfjuyle
Commaunded hath thurgh Bedlem cite .
In his eriiell and furyous rage.
To sle all the children thai he in that eunlre ,
That may he founde ^\ithin to yeers of age:
Ther shall he shewe in that i-egion
Diverse myraeles of his high regalye.
In all ther temples the mawmcnis shall fallr do^vn .
To shew a tokyn towards the partie.
208
MIRAr.Li: -PI,\YS.
This eliild liath loi"tlsliip, ;is prophets tlo spcaUe ,
And at his comyng: thui'{«h his niyg:hty hoiid,
In despyght of all idolatrye,
Every ooa shall falle whan he comyth in to the lond.
Joseph.
O {}Ood lord, of thi gracious ordeuaunce.
Like as thii list for our journey provide ,
In this viage with humlile attendaunce
As God disposeth and list to he our gyde,
Therfor upon them hothe mekely I shall ahidc .
Praying to (hat Lord to thynk upon us three ,
Us to preserve whedcr we go or ryde
Towards Egipte from all advercitic. •
Marij.
IVow, hushand, in all hart I ])ray you, go we hens.
For dredd of Ilerowd that eruell hnyglit :
Gentyll spouse, now do your diligens ,
Antl hryng your asse , I pray you, a non ryght ,
And from hens let us passe with all our myght.
Thanhyng- that Lord so for us doth provide,
That we may go from Ilerowd that cursed wyght,
Wiche will us devour if that we ahide.
Josepli.
j>lary , you to do plesaunee Avithout ony lett
I shall hrynge forth your asse without more delay;
F'llsonc, Mary, theron ye shalbe sett,
And this litell child that in your wombe lay ,
Take hym in your armys, Mary, I you pray.
And of your swete mylke let him sowke inowo,
Mawger Herovvd and his grett fray:
And as your spouse, Mary, I shall go with you.
This ferdell of gere I ley upon my hakke:
IVow I am redy to g-o from this cuntre,
All my smale instruments is putt in my pakke.
\Et exeutii.\
CA>ni.KM AS- nvv. iiO;)
Now j;<» wo lions, 3I;iry . it will mi ju'llcr !«' ,
For (Irodo of Ilorowil, a pans I wyll liijjh uio.
Lo , iu»w is our (•eor trussid holli iiior<> aiul losse :
Mary, for to pleso you with all huniylito
I shall jjo lio foro, and lodo l«>rlh y(nir asso.
{Ui-rc M,n;i „nd .losrph s/inll i/o out oftlu- place, and thr
ifodds shall fall : and than shall come in the uionirii
of Israeli luith tfoinuf children in ther anni/s , and
than the l.:i,/,flils shall ,,o lo I hem saijn;/ as f'olnlh: -
Mllrs J.
Ilcrke, ye wj^lys, wc ho come your houshold lo visito;
Thoujjh ye he never so wroth nor wood,
With sharpc swerds that redely will hyte.
All your children within to yoers af«e in our eruoll uiood
Thurghc out all Bethleeui to kyllo and shed ther youn{j
hlood.
As we he hound he the oounnaundcnioiil oC the hy»}}":
Who that seith nay we shall make a Hood
To renne in the stretis hy ther hlooil shedynp,.
3Iiles ij.
Therfor unto us ye make a delyvoraunce
Of your youn}y children, and that a none,
Or ells, ho Mahoundo, we shall {jeve a mysehaunoo.
Our sharpo s>vords Ihurjrh your hodios shall j>oon.
il"(ltkl/H.
Thorlor he ware, for we will not lovo oou
In all this ountre that shall us escape ,
I shall rather slee them evorychoon.
And make thoni to lye and niowo like an apo,
.}fnlirr J.
Fyo on you, traitors of <Tiicil lorniontrye,
Wiche with your swerds of niorlall violens, —
MiiU'ir ij.
Our yt.uuj; children, that r-;m \\u socourc hut crie,
Wvll sloe .Mid dovourr' in ll.rr iiiM.Mciis.
\\
210 MIRACLE- PLAYS.
Mtdier iij.
Ye false traitors unto Goil , ye do grett oflfens
To sle and morder younj}- children that in the eradell slumher.
Miilier iiij.
But we women shall make a {jeyns you resistens
After our power, your malice to eucomber.
JVathjn.
Peas, you t'olyshe quenys, wha shuld you defende
Ag'eyns us armyd men in this apparaile ?
We be bold men , and the kyng us ded sende
Hedyr in to this cuntre to hold with you battaile.
MtiUer j.
Fve upon the coward, of the I will not faile
To dubbe the knyght with my rokke rounde;
Women be ferse when thei list to assaile
Suehe proude boyes to caste to the grounde.
Mulier ij.
Avaunt, ye skowtys, I defye you every chone.
For I wole bete you all my self alone.
\^JVathyn hie occidet per *e.]
Mulier j.
Alas, alasse, good cossynnes, this is a sorowfidl peyn.
To se our dere children that be so yong
W^ith these caytyves thus sodeynly to be slayn:
A vengcaunce I aske on them all for this grett wrong.
Mulier ij.
And a very myscheff must come them a monge ,
Wherso ever thei be come or goon;
For thei have killed my yong sone John.
Mulier iij.
Gosippis, a shamefull deth I aske upon Herowde our
kyng,
That thus rygorously our children hath slayn.
Mulier iiij.
I pray G<td bi'yng hym to an ille endyng.
And in helle pytte to dwelle ever in peyn.
CANDLEMAS - UA\. i^ I I
tl'titkijn.
AVhat, ye harlotis? 1 havt- aspictl rcilcyii .
That ye he tratorys to my lord the hynj; ,
Ami therfore 1 am sure, ye shall liave an illc <'ihImi|;.
Mitlicr /'.
If ye ahide, Watkyii , you and I sliall j>ame
With my distaft* that is so round<'.
MiiUer tj.
And if 1 seas thanne have I shame .
Tyll thu he fellid down to the yrouude.
3fiilier iij.
And I m.iy gete the within my hounde,
"With this staffe I shall make thee lame.
ff'atkijn.
Yee, I come no more ther , he seynl 3Iahoiind ;
For if I do , methynheth I shall he made t;une.
Mulier j.
Ahyde, Watkyn, I shall make the a knyg'lit.
fl'dl/xi/n.
Thu make me a kny{;ht ? that were on the ncwe ;
But for shame, my trouthe I you plijjht,
I shud hete you hak and side tyll it were hlewe ;
But, he my God Mahounde , that is so true,
My hert he {,^ynne to fayle , and waxeth feynt,
Or ells, he Mahoun<ls hlood , yc shuld it rue.
But ye shall lose your jyoods as traitors alleyiil.
Mid in: J.
What, thu jahell, canst nol have do?
Thu and thi cumpany shall not deparl ,
Tyll of oui- distavys ye have take part. —
Therfor ley on, {jossippes, ^>illi a niery hart.
And lett them not from us {;oo.
[Here thi-i shall hvlc lE'itlLi/n : and the linytjhts shall comr
to rescue hi/ni . and than thri tfo to Ilerovuls hoiis
snyuff, -
14*
SIS
MiRA«:i,i; -pi.ws.
Miles j.
Honorable prynce of grett apparayle,
Thiu'}}li Jei'usaleni and Jiule , your wyll we have wrought.
Full suerly harneysed in arms of plate and mailo,
The children of Israeli unto deth ^^e have broujjht.
Miles ij.
Syr, to werke your commaundement we lettid nought.
In the strets of the children to make a flood;
We sparid neither for care nor thought,
Thiirgh Bethlem to shedde all the young blood.
fVathjn.
In feyth , my lord , all the children be dede ,
And alle the men out of the cuntre be goon;
Ther be but women, and thei crie in every stede,
A vengeaunce take kyng Ilerode , for he hath our children
slcan!
And bidde , a mischefl" take him both evyn and morn !
For kylling of ther children on you thei crie oute;
And thus goth your name all the cuntre abought.
Herodes.
Outc , I am madde, my wyttes be nei goon,
I am wo for the workyng of this werke wylde ;
For as wele I have slayn my frends as my foon,
AVherfor I fere, deth hath me begyled;
IVotwithstondyng syn thei be all defyled ,
And on the young blood of Bethlem \ATOught wo and wrake,
Yitt I am in no certeyn of that yong child;
Now for woo myn herte gynneth to quake.
Alas, I am so sorowful and sett in of sadnes,
I ehille and chevere for this oi*rible chaunce;
I commaunde you all, as ye wole stond in my grace.
Aft this yong kyng to mak good enquerauncc.
And he that bryngeth me tydyngs I shall hym avaunce.
I\ow unto my chamber I purpose me this tyde,
And I charge you , to my precept geve attendaunce ,
III ony place wher ye goo or ryde.
;a>ule>i<s - i»v\.
«iir>
>Vhal. out, out alias! 1 \vou«' 1 shall <l.'> tlii» day;
My hert treuihlith ami «juakith lor IVtr.
My rohys 1 ien«l«' a to; lor I aui in a fray.
That my hert will hrest asunder ovyu heer. —
My lord Mahound, I pray the with hert Jiileer ,
Take luy soule iu to thy holy handc ,
For I fele by my hert, I shall dey evya heer.
For my leff{;s falter, I may no len{jer stande.
{Ilrrr (Ucth Hrrowil,- . and SYMEOA shall sc,j «> fohnjlh
Now, r.od. that art holh l(.l; and ke>e
Of all {jooduesse and {joostly {;overnaunee ,
So ycve us jyrace thi lawys to oheye .
That we unto the do no displeasaunee ;
Lett thi {jraee of mereifull hahondaunee
Upon me shyne , that eallid am Symeon ,
So that I may without auy variauuce
Tcche thi people thi lawis everychon.
From the sterrid he>^n, lord, thu list come down
In to the elosett of a pure virgyn,
Our kvnde to take for mannys salvation,
Thi {jrett merey thu lowe lyst enelyne ,
Lyke as prophetys by {[race that is divyne
Have propheeied of the, sythc lonj;e alVorn;
It is fulfilled, I kno^e he tber (btchAiie.
And of a ehast maide , I wote >\«'le, tlui art huru.
INow, j^ood Lord, hertly I the pray.
Here my reijueste, j,TOun«led upon rijfht:
Most blisse<l Lord , lett me never dey
Tyll that I of the may have a sijfht ;
Thu art so {[-lorioiis, so blissed, and so lirij;lit .
That thi presence to mi(> shiild be j;ret solas ;
I shall not rcslc, but pray bothe day and ny}fhl
Tyll I may behold, o Lord, thi suetc face.
[Here shall (H H L.iUY r„„t, forth holHi/n,/ Jisn in hi
tiiinys . iinil stij this lHnifiin)/r fnlut/nf/ to Joscjih . -
214 MIRACLE- PI>AYS.
Joseph, my spouse, tyme it is, we gfoo
Unto the temple to make an ofFrynge
Of our swete sonej the law commandith so.
And ij yonge dowys >rith us for to hryng:
In to a prests hands, without tai'ieng:,
I shall presente for an ohservaunce ,
Our hahe so hlissed Aviche is but yong:e
With me to jjo, I pray you, make purviaunce.
Joseph.
Most Missed spouse , me list not to feyne,
Fayn wold I plese you with hooll affeccion;
Behold now , wyff , here are dowys tweyne ,
Of wiche ye shull make an ohlaeion ,
^Vith our child of full g-rett devocion :
Goth forth a forn , hertly I you pray ,
And I shall folue , void of presumpcion.
With true entent as an old man may.
\llere Maria and Joseph tjo towards the temple with Jesu
and ij dowes, and OUR LADY seith unto Symeon, —
Heyll , holy Symeon , fidl of grett vertu ;
To make an offryng I gan my self perveye
Of my sovereyne sone that callid is Jesu,
W^ith ij yonge dowes, the lawe to oheye.
Toward this temple , grace list me conveye ,
Of Godds sone to make a presentacion ;
Wherfore, Symeon, hertly I you pray.
In to your hands take myn ohlaeion.
[Here shall SYMEOX receyve of Maria, Jesu, and ij dowis,
and holdr Jesu in his armi/s , expownynf/ IVunc dimittis
cic. scrfUfj llius , —
Welcome, lord, excellent of power;
And welcome , Maria , with your sone sovereyne :
Your ohlaeion of hooll herte and enteer
I receyve , with these dowys tweyne ;
AVeleome , hahe , for joye what may I seyn ?
Atwen myn armys now shall I thee embrace:
rA>DI.KMAS - II\T. Ult>
My prayer. Lord. >vas not luado ia vcjn.
For now 1 se thy «'elestiall face.
[Here declare \mic iliiiiillik. |
() l)lissi'(l L..ril, aft tlii laiijfuajf.^,
Ia |»arfij;lit peas now lelt thy servaual reste ;
For ^vhy, laya eyea have seya thl visaj;e ,
And eke thyn helthe thiiryh my nieke request:
Of the derk duajjeon let the {jats hrest
Before the face of thyn people alle ;
Thu hast broujfht triaele and bavrme of the best
With sovereyne sufyer {jeyn all bitter {j^alle:
I aieae thi self. Lord, gracious and benijyae ,
That woldesl come down from thya hijjh {jlorye
Poyson to repelle , thi mercy doth aoAv shyac
To chaiajfc thyafjs that are transitory ,
Thu art the lijjht and the he>-ynly skye
To the rele^yng: of folk most cruell ,
Thu hast brou{fht jfladnesse to our oratorye ,
And cahiaiyacd thy ]»cople of Israeli.
[Here slutU ./.V.V. / . I> HOP IlllTtSS.t seif thus to lirtfyncs: -
Ye pure virfjynes , in that ye may or can ,
AVith tapers of wex loke ye come forth here ,
And worship this child very God and man,
Offrid in this temple be his moder dere.
[Here I'irrftfuex as tnani/ as n muu ii'i/ll sh<(U liolde iiipen m
l/icr hands: and the first sei/lh , —
/ Vjy/o j.
As ye commaua«le wo shall do our dever
That lorde to plese echon for our partye.
He makvth for ns so comfortable elierc
That we must ncdc v«Hir babe maffnific.
Sffmeon.
Xow. Mary, I shall tell you how I am purposed;
To worship your lord I wll fyo percessioa .
For I see Anna with virj^aes disposerl
Alekly as aow to your soays laudarion.
216
MIKACLE- PLAYS.
Mar id.
Blissed Syiut'ou , \v itli bertly affection
As ye have seyd I coneeiil llierto.
Joseph.
In worslilp of our cliikl witli jjrett devossion
Aboujflit the lempill in order let lis yo.
Symeon.
Ye virjjynes aile , with feythtVill entent
Dispose your siJf a sonjje for to synge.
To worship this childe that is here ]>reseal.
Whiche to mankende jjladnes list hryiig- ,
In tokyn our hcrts, Aviehe joye doth spryii}'-,
Betwyn niyn armys this hahe shalbe born ,
Now, ye virgynis, to this Lord praysing,
Syngyth Nunc dimittis of whiche I spak afforn.
[,Here .shall Sijmcon here tfesu in his armys ffot/titj a percession
rounde ahoiite the tempill, and al this wylc f'ryynis
xiiifje INiiiic dimittis; and whan that is don SYJIEOX
scylh,- .,
O Jesu, ehcf cause of our welfare,
In yone tapirs ther be things iij ,
Wax week and lyght, whiche I shall declare
To the apporprjd by moralile:
Lorde , wax betokyneth thyn humanyte ,
And week betokyneth thy soule most snete,
Yone lyght I lyken to the godhede of tbe ,
Brighter than Phebus for al his fervent hctc ,
Pes and mercy ban set in the here swete
To slake the sharpnes , o Lorde, of rigour,
Vei'y God and man grace togedir mete.
In the tabirnacle of thy modrys bower:
IVow shalt thu exile wo and al langour.
And of mankende tappese infernall slryf .
Record of prophets thou shalt be redemplour.
And singuler repast of evei'lastyng lyf.
r.wni.KMVs - UA^.
817
.\f> sprcto ,j«»y«'ll> tlm J'»"t **•> .•unyjildf ,
1 ;iiu mil ^vcry to lokc on tlii r;i«'«' .
Our ti-oxM- ciil.Mil I. -I il Im" .•i(C<'j)(:il»l('.
To llic lienor of (lie sIkxnxs In Mils [.I.ut;
I'or ll.N IVirnds ;i .l^^(•llMl;; ll.ti sli;.ll purchase,
|{ri;;l.t.'r lli.ui l.ci;.!! onllicr clfri' rryslalL
'TIhm' to >vorsiiip as <'lu'i' ^vclle of jjTacc ;
On liotli niv l»n(M's no\\ (Ioami lincK- I slirtll.
Miivitt.
Now, S\ni;M»n. lake nic my rliildo llial is so Itiiylil,
(^licf lodostcrrc of my li'ln-ytc;
And all that lonjyytli to the lawc ol" l•'\■^^\l\
[ shall oIm'vc. as it lylh in mo.
S>iiii<'0)i.
This . Lord , I tah«' you knolyng- on my kne ,
AVhiche shall to blisse folk aj|('yn restore.
And so be eallid sonne of tranquylyte ,
To g^eve them dryulie that hem thyrstyd sore.
[Here M.iM.l reecifvclh hit- s„„r l/iiis scyti;/ ,
Xow is myn olVrynj;-c to an ende conveyed;
AVherfore, Symeon, hens I ^volde hende.
Symeoii.
The lawes, Mary, Tnlnell ye han ohheyed
In this leuipill Avith hert and mende.
IVow feruell. Lord, eomfort to all mankende:
Feruell , .^Liria . and .loseph on yon waytynjy.
(".eU'sliall socour onr s(tne mot you scnde.
And for liis liijfh mercy jfevc von his hiissyn;;.
I //<•.<• Vmiu mul Jo.u/,/, ,fo;j„;/ from tfir l(,n/>ill sr,/,,;/
M drill.
Ilushond , I thank you of your jjenlilnes.
That thn han shewed onto nie this (lay,
\Vith our child most (jracious of ;;odenes:
Let us };o hens . herlly I you pray.
218 MIRACLE- PLAYS.
Joseph.
Go forthe afforn , my owne wyf , I sey ,
And I shall come aftir stil upon this ground ,
Ye shal me fynde plesant at every assaye;
To cheryshe you, wyf, grretly am I bonde.
Symeon.
Nowe may I be glad in myn inwarde mynde;
For I have seyn Jesu with my bodely eye,
Wiche on a cross shall bey al menkende,
Slayn by Jews at the mount of Calvery,
And throw evyns grace here I will jirovysye
Of blissid Mary how she shall suffre peyn,
^Vhan hir swcte sone shall on a I'ood deye ;
A sharpe swarde of sorow shall cleve hir hert atweyn.
Anna prophetissa , hertly I pray you nowe ,
Doth your devir and your diligent labour,
And take these virgynis every chon with you,
And teche hem to plese God of most honour.
Anna, Prophetissa.
Lyke as ye say, I will do this hour:
Ye chast virgynis, with all humilite
Worshipe wc Jesu that shalbe our savyour;
Alle at ones come on , and folowe me.
Anna , Prophetissa.
Shewe ye sume plesur as ye can.
In the ^vorship of Jesu , our Lady , and seynt Anne.
Poeta.
Honorable soverignes , thus we conclude
Our matter , that wc have shcwid here in your presens
And though our eloquens be but rude,
We beseeche you all of your paciens.
CA>DLKMAS- DAT. S19
To pardon us of our ottVns ;
For aft the sympyll cunnynj; (hat >vc can.
This matter >ve liave shewld to your audiens.
In the worship of our Lady and hir moder scynt Anne.
\o>ve of this pore processe we make an ende,
Thankyu}; you all of your {j-ood attendaunee;
Aiul the next yeer, as we be perposid in our niyude.
The disputaeion of the doctors to shew in your preseus.
>Vherfor now, ye vyrjjynes, or we };o hens,
With all your eumpany you {joodly avaunce :
Also ye menstralles doth your dili};ens ,
A fore our depertynjf g^eve us a daunce.
GODS PROilllSES.
A Tragedy or enterbide manyfestyng the chefe promyses
of God unto man by all ages in the olde have, from the fall
of Adam to the incarnacyon of the lorde Jesus Christ. Com-
pyled by Johan Bale , Anno Domini MDXXXFHL
It is uncertain where this play was first printed, b>it most proba-
bly in the Low Countries, or in Switzerland.
GOD'S PROMISES.
Baleits, Prolocutor.
If profy{»-ht maye gTowe, most Christen audyence,
By knowlejre of thyn^fes ivliycli arc hut transytorye.
And here for a tjine , of uioch more conjjruencc,
Adv.-intajjc myjjht spryn^jc , l>y the scrt-he of causes hcavcnlyo.
As those matters are, that the Gospell specyfye;
AVithout ^vhose knowledjfc no man to the trulhe can fall ,
Xor ever atteyno to the lyfe perpetuall.
Fer he that knoweth not the lyvynjje God ctcrnall ,
The father , the sonne , and also the holye Ghost ,
And ^vhat Christ suflVrcd for redempeyon of us all ,
What he eomniaunded , and tauffht in every eoost ,
And Avhat he forhode, that man must nedes he lost.
And cleane secluded, from the faythCuJl chosen sorte ,
In the heavens ahovc , to hys most hvjjh dysconforte.
Yow therfor, {jood fryndes, I lo>-jn{j'ely exhort
To waye soche matters, as M-yil he uttered here.
Of whom ye may loke to have no tryfelin^ sporte
In fantasyes fayned, nor soche lyke ffaudysh fjere.
But the thynffs that shall your inwarde storaake chear ,
224
MIRACLE -PLAYS.
To i-ejoyce in God lor your justyjycacyon ,
And alone in Christ to hope for your salvacyou.
\ ea , first ye shall have the eternal generacyon
Of Christ, like as Johan in hys first chaptre wryght.
And consequentlye of man the first ereaeyon ,
The abuse and fall, through hys first oversyght.
And the rayse agayne through God's hygh grace and myght
By proniyses first, whych shall he declared all.
Then by hys owne sonne, the worker pryncypall.
After that Adam hywayleth here hys fall,
God wyll shewe mercye to every generacyon.
And to hys kyngedome, of hys great goodnesse call
Hys elected spouse, or faythfull congregacyon ,
As here shall apere by open protestacyon,
Whych from Christe's birthe shall to hys death conclude:
They come that therof wyll shewe the certytude.
ACTUS PRIMUS.
Pater cwlestis.
In the begynynnge, before the heavens wen,' create,
In me and of me was my sonne sempyternall
With the holy Ghost, in one degre or estate
Of the hygh Godhed , to mc the father coequall ,
And thys my sonne was with me one God essencyall,
W^ithout separacyon at any tyme from me.
True God he is, of equall dignyte.
Sens the begynnynge, my sonne has ever be,
Joined wyth hys Father in one essencyall beynge.
All tbynges were create by hym in yche degre.
In heaven and earthe, and have their dyverse workynge;
Wythout hys power, was never made anye thynge ,
rii.il >v;is ^M-ouj;lil: i>iil llii-<iuj;li In »« onK ii.-iuiicc .
Kat'li li.-iv«' liNs strcii;;tli .utii ^vluilt- coiih iiii.iiici-.
Ill liviii is tlir l\l'(> and tlit' jiisl r<>c<)\ criiiiii-c
For Atlaiii and li\ s , uliicli itou<r|il luit drallif d(>si>rv«>d
And tlivs lylo to men is an hyj;h porsevt'ramuM' ,
Or a lyjfhl of (aytlio. ^vlu'ihy llu'V shall bo savrd.
And llijs Ivjfhl shall shyno auionjji' the pooplt- dailirncd
Willi iiiiraxthfiilnosse. Yet shall they not \\\[U liyni lalic.
lint of uylHiill hart hys lyherall jfraee lorsal..-.
\> liM-li ^v\|| coinix-il nil' ajfaynst man for to nial.r
In my d\ splo isure , an<l sende j)la;;es of coreceyon .
Most jjrevouse and sliarpe, hys >vantoi) liistes to slake,
Ity water and fyre, by sveknesse and Infeeevon .
Of pestylent sores, molestynge hys eompleeevon ,
By Ironhloiise warre . by derthe and pevnefull searsenesso ,
And after thys lyfc lie an extreme hea^ynesse.
I wyll first bejjjnne %vith Adam for hys lewdenesse,
Whyeh for an apple neji^lected my commaundement.
He shall contynne in laboiire for hys rashenesse,
Hys onlye sweate shall provyde hys food and raymeni :
\ea, yet must he have a {>realter ponnyshment ,
Most terryble deathe shall brvnjje hym to hvs cntU'
To teaehe hym how he hvs lord God shall olfende.
\ Ilic lirare/ix in tiiiain ciidil ./itfiiiilii , ac /loxl t/ianliini I'l-i
<ni/i tiriiiio n-surijit.l
-idain jtriiiiiis homo.
.McrcNruli Falhcr. lliy pyliefiill };rae«' evtende
To nir i-arcfiiil Nviclrlic . \vliyeh have mesore abnsi-d ,
Thy preeept break\nj;e. O Lorde . I inyiide to amende,
If thy jyreat jj;oodnesse wolde non have me exeiised.
Most heavenlye Maker, lele me not be refused,
\or east from Jli\ sNjjht for one pore svnncfiill ervme ,
Alas I am fr.i\ii'. ni> whole kynde ys bnl sl\nn'.
Pdh'V cd'lcstis.
I wotl it is so, yet art tliu no less*' faulty*'.
Than thn liadd\sl bene made of mafli-r nif»cli mnr*- \vorth\ (
1 '.
226
MIRACLE -PLWS,
I d'ave the reason, and wytle to untlerstande
The good from the evyll, and nol to take on hande.
Of a brayuelesse mynde, the thynjje whych I foibad the.
^dam primus homo.
Socli heavye fortune hath chefelye chaunced me,
For that I was left to myne owue lyl»ei'te.
Pater cosiest is.
Then thu art hlamelesse , and the faulte thu layest to me.
Adam primus homo.
IVaye all I ascribe to my own imbeeyllyte.
No faulte in the Lorde, but in my infirmyte.
And want of respect in soche gyftes as thu gavest me.
Pater ccelestis.
For that I put the at thyne owne lyberte,
Thu oughtest my goodnesse to have in more regarde.
yidam primus homo.
Avoyde it I cannot, thu layest it to me so harde.
Lorde, now I perceyve what power is in man.
And strength of hymselfe, whan thy swete grace is absent.
He must nedes but fall, do he the best he can.
And daunger hymselfe, as apereth evydent;
For I synned not to longe as thu wert present;
But whan thu wert gone, I fell to synne by and by,
And the dyspleased. Good lorde I axe the mercy.
Pater ccelestis.
Thu shalt dye for it, with all thy posteryte.
Adam primus homo.
For one faulte, good lorde, avenge not thyself on me.
Who am but a worme , or a fleshelye vanyte.
Pater ccelestis.
I saye thu shalt dye, with thy whole posteryte.
Adam primus homo.
Yet mercy swete lorde, yf anye mercy maye be.
Pater ccelestis.
I am immutable, I maye change no decre;
Thu shalt dye, I saye, without anye remedye.
I'UOMISES.
287
.Idtim i»iinus liomit.
Yet {yraoyousf Falbt-r, I'xteiulc to im- lliv iiuTcye,
Aiul tluouf not awayc the woikc \\li\(li lliu IkisI oioatv
To tliMH' o>MU- liiia;;t', Imt avert Iroin iiie lli} liate.
Pater ctrlestis.
Bui art tini soiye lioiu liottoiii of tliy liailV
.idam pruniis homo.
Thy (lysph'asiue is to uie most heavye smart.
Pater avlestis.
rii.in \^\\\ I t.ll llu- uhal thu shall stycke imlo .
LnI'c to r(M'o\(')'. ami iny <;oo(l faver also.
.idam primus homo.
Tell it me, swete Lorde , that I may«' theraller jjo.
Pater cadestis.
Tliys vs my covenant to the and all thy ofsprynjye.
For that thu hast hene Jeeeyved liy the serpent,
I >vyll put hatred hetwLxt hym for hys doynjje,
And the ^voman kynde. They shall hei'after dyssent;
Hys sede \vilh her sede shall never have agfrement;
Her sede shall presse downe hys heade unto the j;rounde ,
Slee hys sujf[;estyons , and hys ^vholc power eonlounde.
Cleave to thys promyse, with all thy inwarde powre,
Fvrnu'Ive enelose it in thy reniemhraunee fast;
Fold<- U in lliy l':i\ llie uith lull liopi- d.iy and houre.
And thy s.ilvaeyon il \\\\\ l».- at the last.
That sede shall elere th.- of all lliy u> ei.ednesse past.
And proeure thy peaee , \\\\\\ most hy|;li {;raee in my syjjht.
Se thu trust to it, and holile not llu' mailer Kjjht.
.idam primus linimt.
S\vete lorde, thi- promyse that thys«'ll" lure halh made me,
or thy mere j;oodnesse , and not of my deservyn|;e.
In my I'avllie I trust shall so estidflyshed he.
By heljM- of thy ifraec . that it shall he rema> nyiijfe
So lonj|e as 1 shall have here eontynuyn;;e ,
And shewe it I wyll lo my posterjle.
That thev iu Ukc .ase liavr llicrl.v lehrvle.
BBS * MIKArXE - PLAYS.
Pater cceleaiis.
For ;» clos^iijjc u[) , take yet one seutenee with the.
Adam primus homo.
At thy pleasure, Loyde, all thynges myjjht ever he.
Pater crelestis.
For that iiiy promyse inaye have the deper effeel
In the faythe of the and all thy generaeyon ,
Take thys sygne with it, as a seale therto connect.
Crepe shall the serpent, for hys ahhomynacyon;
The woman shall sorowc in paynefull pi"opa<]-aeyon.
Like as thu shalt llnde thys true in ontwarde workynge.
So thynke the other, though it he an hydden thynge.
Adam primus homo.
Incessaunl praysynge to the most heavenlye lorde
For thys thy socoure, and undeserved kyndnesse
Thu hyndest me in hart thy graeyouse gyftes to reeorde ,
And to heare in niynde, now after my heavynesse.
The hrute of thy name, with inwarde joye and gladnesse.
Thu dysdaynest not, as wele apereth thys daye,
To fatche to thy folde thy fii-st shcpe goyngc astraye.
Most myghtye maker, thu castcst not yet awaye
Thy synnefull servaunt, whych halh done most offence.
It is not thy mynde for ever I shuld deeaye,
I5ut thu rcservest me, of thy henyvolence.
And hast ju-ovyded for me a I'ecompenee,
By thy appoyntment, like as I have reeeyvcd
In thy stronge promyse, here openly pronounced.
Thys goodnesse, dere lorde, of me is undeserved,
I so declynynge from thy first instytueyon.
At so lyght moeyons. To one that thus hath swerved.
What a lorde art thu , to gcve soehe retryhucyon !
I, damnahle >vretche, deserved execucyon
Of terryhle dealhe, without all remedye.
And to he put out of all good memorye.
I am enforced to rejoyce hei'e inwardelye,
An ympe though I he of helle . deathe . and dampnaeyon .
I'KUMISKS.
929
riiioii;;li iiiN inMif w ml.Mij;*' : (nr I cnioytiif lliv iinTcyf
Ami |>yliLriill iiiyiul*' for my >>liol«' jjenrincyon.
II is fliii, suclr Ionic, th.il \v»»rkisl my salvacyoii,
AimI mv r«'co\«T. 'riicrfor of a *'on;;riu'iif*' ,
From lii-iis (liii must have my harl ami ol)('(ly<'n('c.
Tlioii;;li I l»f morlall, hy reason of my oncncc.
Ami sliall (lye llie ileatlic . like as God hatli apitoyiiled :
or tliys am I sure, tliiou}>li liys liy{;^l» iiinuemc .
At a serleii daye ajjayne to he rovyved.
From j;roiimle of my liarl lliys shall not ho removed.
I ha\e it in lav the and therlor I ^vill sy njje
Thys Antheme to hym that my salvaeyon shall hryn{j''e.
I Tunc sniiura voce, provolntis ffenibus , .inlijiltoniim incijnl,
O sapicntia, (/nam prosct/tirlur chorus cum organis ,
CO interim rxeuulc : vel sub eodem iono jiotcrit sic
.-iufflice canlari.]
O eternal sapyenee, that proeedest Irom the iiiouthe of
I he hyyhest, reaehyiijje fourth with a great power from the
hejiy unvnjye to the ende, with heavenlye swetnesse dysposynjfe
all creatures, eome iu)\\ and enstnict us the true waye of
Ihy jfotllye prudence.
/iiiil .(i:li(s jiiiinns.
MVIVS SECI'NDIS.
I'ater cfvlestix.
i h.i\c Itcnc nio\«--.l to stryke man dyverselye.
Sens I leltc Adam in thys same earthly mansyon ;
For whyeV he hath done to me dvspleasures manye .
And wyll not amende hvs Ivfc in anvc condycyon :
\o rcs|»c<"t hath he to mv vvofdc nor monyeyon .
But dolli uhat hym lust, wythout dyseretc a«lvysement
And \\\\] in lilt wvsc lalvc nnnc ad\crtvscmcn(.
250 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Cain balb slayiie Abel, hys l)rotbei', an innocent,
Wbose l)loude from tbe eartbe dotb call to me for veug-eaunce :
My cbildren witb mennis so earnallye consent,
Tbat tbeir vayne workynge is unto me mocbe grevaiince :
Mankynde is but flesbe in bys wbole dallyaunce.
All vyce encreasetb in bym contynuallye,
Notbynge be rcgardetb to walk unto my giorye.
My bart abborretb bys wylfull myserye,
Hys caukred malyce, bys cursed covetousenesse,
Hys lustes lecberouse, bys vengeable tyrannye,
Unmercyfull mourtber, and otber unjjodlynesse.
I will destroye bym for bys outragyousnesse ,
And not bym onlye , but all tbat on eartbe do stere,
For it repentetb me tbat ever I made tbem bere.
Justus Noah.
Most gentyll maker, witb bys fraylencss sumwbat beai'e.
Man is tby creature, tbyselfe cannot saye naye.
Tbougb tbu punysb bym, to put bym sumwbat in feare,
Hys faulte to acknowledge, yet seke not bys decaye.
Tbu mayest reclayme bym, tbougb be goetb now astraye.
And brynge bym agayne , of tby abundaunt grace ,
To tbe fold of faytbe , be acknowlegynge bys trespace.
Pater coelestis.
Tbu knowest I bave geven to bim eonvenyent space,
Witb lawfuU warnynges , yet be ameudctb in no place.
Tbe naturall lawes, wbicb I wrote in bys barte.
He batb outraccd, all goodnesse puttynge a parte:
Of beltbe tbe covenaunt, wbycb I to Adam made.
He regardetb not , but walketb a damnable trade.
Justus Noah.
All tbys is true, lorde , I cannot tby words reprove,
Lete bys weaknesse yet tby mercyfull goodnesse move.
Pater ca;lestis.
No Aveaknesse is it, but wylfull workynge all,
That reignetb in man tbrougb mynde dyabolycall.
He sball bave tberfor lyke as be batb deserved.
CUIl's PItOMISHS. 251
Jus f IIS Aim/i.
Lose liyui nol yol, lurdc , lboii;;li lie lialli (li'pelyc s>\orvc'iI.
I know«» tbv iiifreyo is larre aliovc liys nulenessc ,
lJoyt'iij;t' iiirynjtc, as all oilier tli^ii};es aro in the.
II>s I'olye (lu'ilor now parclonc o{' lliy yoodnesse ,
And measure it nol lie>onde lliy jjodlye pytie.
Esteuie not liys I'aulle larder than heipe may be,
IJnt {jraunt hyni thy {jraee, as he oflendelh so depelye ,
The to remend»re , and aldiorre hys niyserye.
Of all {^oodnesse , lorde , rememhre thy great mereye
To Adam and Eye, Lreal;yn{je thy first eommaundement.
Them thu releyedest with thy swete promyse heayenlye,
Synnefnll thoujjh they were, and theii- lyves neglyjjent.
I knowe thai mereye with the is permanent.
And ^vill he ever, so longe as the worlde endure:
Than elose not thy hande from man, whyeh is thy ereatiu'e.
Beynjye ihy suhjeet , he is undrenelh thy eure ,
Correet hym thu mayest , and so hrynjje hym to graee.
All lyeth in thy handes, to leave or to allure,
Bytter deathe to geve , or graunte most snffren solace.
Ulterlye from man averle not then thy face.
But letc hym saver thy swete henyvolcnee ,
Siunwhat, though he fele thy hande for hys offence.
Paler aelcstis.
3Iy true servaunt Xoah , thy ryghtousnesse dolh move me
Smnwhat to reserve for mannys posteryte.
Though I di'owue the worlde , yet wyll I save Ihe lyves
Of the and thy wyfe , thy three sonnes and llieir wyves,
And of ych kynile hvo, to maynteyne yow heraiter.
Justus \oa/i.
Blessed he thy name, most myghty(! mereyfull maker,
AVith the to dyspute, it were unconvenyent.
Pater ccdestis.
^^ bve doesl Ihu saye so? he holde to speke thy intent.
Justus ^\l)tl/l.
Shall ihe other dye uithout any reniedve ?
232 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
Pater ccelestis.
I wyll drowne them all , for their wylful wyeked folye ,
That man herafter therhy maye kiiowe my powre,
And feare to offende my goodnesse daye and houre.
Just lis Noah.
As thy pleasure is, so myght it alwayes lie.
For my helthe thu art, and sowle's felyeyte.
Pater eo'lestis.
After that thys lloude have had hys ragyn,oe passage,
Thys shall ]>e to the my eovenaunt everlastynge.
The sees and waters so farre never more shall rage ,
As all fleshe to drowne, I wyll so tempre their workynge;
Thys sygne wyll I adde also, to confirme the thynge.
In the cloudes ahove, as a scale or token clere.
For savegarde of man, my raynehowe shall apere.
Take thu thys eovenaunt for an ernest confirmaeyon
Of my former promyse to Adam's generacyon.
Justus Noah.
I wyll, hiessed lorde, with my whole hart and mynde.
Pater civlestis.
Farewele then, just Noah, here leave I the hehyndc.
Justus Noah.
Most myghtye maker, ere I from hens depart,
I must geve the prayse from the hottom of my hart.
Whom may we thanke , lorde , for our helthe and salvaeyoi
But thy great mereye and goodnesse undeserved ?
Thy promyse in faythe, is our justyfyeaeyon.
As it was Adam's, whan hys hart therin rested.
And as it was theirs, whych therein also trusted.
Thys faythe was grounded in Adam's memorye.
And clerelye deelared in Ahel's innoceneye.
Faythe in that promyse, olde Adam dcd justyfye ,
In that promyse faythe, made Eva to prophecye.
Faythe in that promyse, proved Al»el innocent.
In that promyse faythe, made Seth fnll ohedyent.
• '.ons pnoMisr.s. Ii35
IMi.il I'aylhc taii{;Iil Emts, on Ciods name liisl lo call.
Ami inailo MaMuisalali tlic oldest man ol" all.
That laylli hroii-jlil Enucli to so Ji\p,li oxorcyse,
I lial (iod l(d»»' liyin uj> ^vilh liyin into paradysc.
or that layllu' llic want, uiado (>ain to Kate the {jood ,
And all liys o(sprynj;e to ]>eryshe In the flood.
Faylhe in that proniyse , preservetl both mc and myne :
So >vill il all (liein \\li\cli IVdowe the same lyne.
Xot onlye Ihys jf> lie ihu hast j>even me, swete lorde,
Hnt with it also thyne evcrlastynye covenaniil.
Of trust for ever, thy rayn«'l»o«e bearyn{«e reeorde,
iVevermore to drowne the «orlde hy floude inconstaunl,
Ala.' I ean not to the yeve prayse eondyjjne ,
Vet wyli I synjfe hero with harte melic and lienyjjnc.
[Miifjun tunc vocv ./ntijilionain incijiil, (O oriens splendor,)
<S'c. i»i ffrnuH cndriix; ijuum chorus proxequctur cum
orifanix ut supra , vel .iufjUcf sub eodein touo ]
O most orient elerenesse, and Jy^ht shynynjje of the
sempiteruall hryjjiitnessc! O elere sunne of justycc .ind
heaveidye rvjjhtousnessel come hyth<'r and illiiuiyne (he
prisoner. syUynj;e now in the darlie prison and shadilowc (d"
elernall dcilhe.
I't'tiil .Id lis sf'CHHfhis.
ACTl S TERTirS.
Pairr avli-.slis.
Myne hyjjh displeasure mii'^l iiedes rrliirne to man,
Consyderynj-e the syniic lli.il lie dulli (l.i\e l>\ (l,i\c;
For neyther hyndenesse, nor extreme handel\n;;e ean.
3Iake hyni to hnowe me liy anv la>thrull wave,
Buf slyll in in\sehefc he nall.cJii tu hvs decriye.
i(i
854 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
If he do not sone hys wyckodnessc coasydre ,
lie is like , doubtlesse , to perysli all tofjydre.
Ill my syght, he is more veiiym than the spyder.
Through soch abuses as he hath exercysed.
From the tymc of Noah, to this same season hyder.
An uncomelye acte without shame Cham eommysed ,
When he of hys father the secrete partes reveled.
In lyke ease IVemrod against me wrought ahusyon.
As he raysed up the eastell of confusyon.
Ninus hath also , and all by the devyl's illusyon ,
Through ymage makyuge , up raysed idolatrye ,
Me to dyshououre. And now in the conclusyon
The vyle Sodomytes lyve so unuaturallye ,
That their synne vengeaunce axeth contynuallye.
For my covenaunte's seke, I wyll not drowne with water.
Yet shall I vysyte their synnes with other matter.
yihraham fidelis.
Yet, mercyfull iorde, thy gTaeyousuesse remembre
To Adam and Noah, both in thy worde and promes:
And lose not the sowles of men in so great nombre.
But save thyue owne worke, of thy most dyscrcte goodness.
I wote thy mercyes are plentyfull and cndles.
Never can they dye, nor fayle, thyself entlurynge,
Thys hath faythe fixed fast in my uudcrstandynge.
Pater ccclcstis.
Abraham my servaunt, for thy most faythfull meanynge ,
Both thu and thy stocke shall have my plcntouse blessynge.
YVhere the unfaythfull, uudre my curse evermore.
For their vayne workynge , shall rewe their wyckednesse sore.
Abraham fulelis.
Tell me, blessed Iorde, where Avyll thy great malyce lyght.
3Iy hope is, all flcshe shall not pcrysh in thy syght.
Pater coilestis.
No Irulye Abraham , thu chauncest upon the right.
The thyngc I shall do, I wyll not hyde from the,
Whom I have blcssyd for thy true fydclyte:
r.ODS I-HOMISES. 25o
I'of 1 Kiniuc tlioii \\\\{ ciiisc liulli lll^ cIin Idicii mihI scrMiiiiili-s ,
in my >v;iyrs to ^valko, and trust unto my ♦•ovi'naunlcs ,
That 1 ma> lu'rluurmo «ith tlic my oarni-st jiromcs.
^ibrnham fiddis.
All lliat \\\\\ I do. I)y assyslonco of thy jjoodaos.
I'titrr ctrlcsti'x.
From Sodom and Gomor, thi- abhoxuynaoyons call
Tor my {jrcat vcn^yeaimcc, >vhycli vryU upon llicm Call.
>>'yld(' lyre and ln-ymstonc shall ly{;ht upon ihcui all.
-Ibi-aham fiddis.
Pyti«'('ull maker, though ihoy have kyndled thy I'uryc ,
Cast not a^vaye yet the just sort with the unjjodlye.
Pai .venture there maye be fillye ryj'hteousc persones
Within those cyties , ■*%'ylt Ihu lose them all at ones,
And not spare the place, for those fyftye ryjyhteouse sake?
Be it farre from the soeh ryjjoure to undertake.
I hope there is not in the so cruell hardenesse.
As to east awaye the just men with the rcchelesse ,
And so to deslroye the ffood with the ungodlye :
Tu tin- jiid;;<' of ,dl. he never soeh a furye.
Pater ccelestis.
At Sodom, if I may fynde just persones fiftye,
The place «yll I spare for their sakcs vcrelye.
^IbralKim fidclis.
I take upon me, to speake here in thy presence.
More then liccome me, loi'de pardon my ne;;lyj;encc:
I am Iml aslics . .lud were lothe the to oU'cnde.
Paler C(clcslis.
Saye fourth, ;;ood Abraham, for yll <lo.st lliu iion inlcndc.
.Abraham fiddis.
II.'ippKi- IIktc ni.i\e be I'vve lesse in the same nondire ;
For their sakcs I trust lliu wylt not the rest accfjmbre.
Pater ctdcstis.
If I anionic them myjjht fynde but fy\e and fort>c.
Them woldc 1 not lose for that just com])au>e.
2.1^0 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
Abraham fidelis.
What if the eytie maye forty e ryjfhteouse make?
Pater ccelesfi's.
Tbcii wyll I pardone it for those same fortye's sake?
Abraham fidelis.
Be not angrye . lorde , though I speake undyseretelyc.
Pater ccelestis.
Utter thy whole mynde , and spare me not hardelye.
Abraham fidelis.
Perauventure there maye l>e thirty founde amonjye them.
Pater ctvlestis.
Maye I fynde thirty, I wyll nothynge do unto them.
Abraham fidelis.
I take upon me to moche , lorde , in thy syght.
Pater caiestis.
IVo , no , good Ahraham, for I know e thy faythe is right,
Abraham fidelis.
IVo lesse , I suppose, than twenty, ean it have.
Pater cailestis.
Coulde I fynde twenty , that eytie Avoldc I save.
Abraham fidelis.
Ones yet wyll I speake my mynde , and than no more.
Pater ccelestis.
Spai'C not to utter so moehe as thu hast in store.
Abraham fidelis.
And what if there myght he ten good creatures founde?
Pater ccelestis.
The rest for their sakes myght so lie safe and sounde.
And not destroyetl for their ahhoniynacyon.
Abraham fidelis.
O mercyfull maker, moche is thy toUeraeyon
And suflei-aunce of synne. I se it now in dede ,
Witsave yet of faver out of those cyties to leade
Those that he faythfull , though their llocke be hut small.
<.On S I>KOMI}<E!
237
Pater cu'lrstis.
Lolli aiul L^s howslioKlf , I mvII tlrlyvor all.
Fm- rvi;lileousucssc sake, whych is ol" iii<> ami not lliciu.
Abrnham fidvlis.
(•real arc (liv {;ratM's in iho jjcucrafyon of S«'iii.
Pater coclestis.
AVrli Al.iahaiu. >voll, for tliy true la> ihrujncs ,
\o>v \v\ll I {jevc the uiy rovenaunt, or lliini ()roines.
Luke ihu helevo it, as thii covelyst ryylituousiK'sse.
Abraliam fidelis.
Lordo so rojjardo luo , as I roceyvc it willi };la(liioss(^
Pater ccelestis.
Of nianyc peoples tlie father I ^vyll make the ,
All yoneraeyons in thy seile shall he hlessyd :
As the slarres of heaven , so shall thy kyntlrcd be;
And by the same sede the ^vorlde shall he redressed.
In cyreumeysyon shall thys thynjje he expressed.
As in a sure seale , to prove my promyse true,
Prynl thNs in thy fay the, ami it shall thy sowle renue.
.Ihraliam fidelis.
I \\\\\ nut one jole . lorde , from thy wyll dyssent ,
IJut to thy pleasure he ahvayes ohedyent.
Thy la>ves to fullfyll, and most preeyouse eounnaundcment.
Pater ccclestis.
Farwele Ahrah.un . for heare in place I leave the.
ylbraham fidelis.
Thankes wyll I rendi-e, lykc as it shall heliove nie.
Evcrlastyn{je praysc to thy most {yloryouse name,
AVhyeh savedyst Adam thronifh faythe in thy sweet promes
Of the nomannvs sede, and no^v eonfyrmest the same
In the sede of me. Fosolh j;reat is thy {foodnes.
I can not pereeyve , hut that thy mercye is endlcs.
To soeh as feare the , in every yeneracyon ,
For it endureth without ahrevyaeyon.
Thys have I pryntcd in dene cousythraeyon .
\o worldly matter can race it out of mynde.
258 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
For ones it Avyll he the fynall rcstauracyoii
Of Adam ami Eve, with other that hath symle;
Yea, the sure helthe ami rayse of all maiikyutle.
Ilelpe have the faythfull therof, though they he infect.
They condempnacyon where as it is reject.
Mci'cyfull maker, my crahhed voyce dyrect.
That it maye hreake out in some swetc prayse to the;
And suffre me not thy due lawdcs to neglect.
Cut Icte me shewe forth thy commendacyons fre.
Stoppe not my wyndc pypes, hut jyeve them lyherle ,
To soundc to thy name, Avhych is most f>-racyouse ,
And in it rejoyce with hart melodyouse.
[Tunc alta voce canit Aniifihouam , O rex geiitium , choro
eatidem prosequente cum orfjanis, lit pfius, vcl Anglice
hoc modo : —
O most myghtye (joveruour of thy people, and in hart most
desyi-ed, the harde rocke and true corner stone, that of
two maketh one, unyn{>e the Jews with the Gentyles in one
churche , come now and releve mankynde Avhom thu hast
fourmed of the vyle earthe.
F'lnit Actus tertiiis.
ACTUS QUARTUS.
Paler coclestis.
Styll so increaseth the wyckedncssc of man.
That I am moved with plaocs hym to confounde.
Ilys wealicnessc to ayde , I do the hest I can,
Yet he rejjardeth me no more tlian doth an ho undo.
My worde and promysc in hys faythc taketh no grounde;
lie Avyll so longe walke in hys owne lustes at large.
That nought he shall fyude hys folye to dyscharge.
259
Sons Aliralioin s fvinc. ^vlncli >v;is in\ fnic elect,
Isiuaol liave I Inunde liolli wyeliotl, fe.iiM'e , .-iiul onwll :
Aiul Esau ill inviiile >\illi li.ilelul] luiuliier iiitVel.
riie soiines of Jae«>li to Iust«'S iiuiialia-.il fell.
Ami Into Ejfyple «lecl lliey their lu-othor sell.
Lahan to ydollcs {;ave faytlifnll reverence ,
Dina \vas eorrupt tUrouyh Sieliem's vyolencc.
Iliiheii aliused liys father's eoucubyue ,
.liulas };ate ehylilren of hys own <loiij;hter in lawc:
Yea , her in my syj^ht ^vent after a wyekeil lyne.
Ihs seile Onan spylte, his brother's name to uilluhvave.
Aelian Ijved here without all {|oillye awe.
And now the ehyltli"en of Israel abuse my powrc
In so vyle maner, that they move me everye howre.
Moses sand lis.
Paeyfye thy wrathe , swetc lorde , I the desyre ,
As thu art {fentyll , benygne , and pacyent,
Lose not tha.t people in feareenesse of thine yre
For >\honi thu hast shewed soche tokens evydenl,
Convertynjje thys rodde into a lyvelye serpent.
And the same serpent into thys rodde ajjayne.
Thy wonderfull power deelarynjje very playne.
For their sakes also puttest Pharao to paync
By ten dyverse plages, as I shall here declare.
Tivbloude, fro{;j;es. andlyee ; by flyes, death, botehe, and blayne;
I5v havle, by grassoppers , by darknesse , and by care;
\\\ a soden plage, all their first gotten ware,
Thu slewest, in one nyght , for hys fearee ernelnesse.
From thai lliN people witholde not now thy goodnesse.
Pilfer cfclcslt's.
I eerfyfye the, my chosen servaunl Moses,
That people of nivne is full of unthankefiilnes.
Moses saiicftis.
Dere lorde, I knowe it, alas ! yet waye their weakenesse.
And beare with their faultes, of thy great bounteousncsse.
In a flamynge bushe hav^nge to tlieui respect.
240
MIRACI.E- PLAYS.
Thu appoyntedst me their passag'e to direct.
And through the reade see thy ryght haiide ded us lede
^Vhere Pharoe's hoost the floude overwhelmed in dcde.
Thu wentest heforu them in a shynynge cloude all daye.
And in the darkc nyght in fyre thu shewedcst their waye.
Thu sentcst them manna from heaven to he their food.
Out of the harde stone thu gavest them water good.
Thu appoyntedst them a lande of mylke and honyc.
Let them not perysh for want of thy great mereye.
Pater ccclestis.
Content they are not with foule nor yet with fayre.
But murmour and grudge as people in dyspayre.
As I sent manna they had it in dysdayne ,
Thus of their welfare ihay manye tymes complayne.
Over Amalech I gave them the vyctorye.
3Ioses sanctus.
Most gloryouse maker, all that is to thy gloryc.
Thu sentest them also a lawe from heaven ahove ,
And dalyc shewedest them manye tokens of great love.
The hrazen serpent thu gavest them for their healynge.
And Balaam's curse thu turnedest into a hlessynge.
I hope thu Avilt not dysdayne to help them styll.
Pater coilestis.
I gave them preceptes, which they will not fulfyll,
Nor yet knowledge me for their God and good lorde ,
So do their vyle dcdes with their wyked hartcs accorde
Whyls thu hast talked Avith me famylyarlye
In Synai's mouutayne, the space hut of daycs fortye.
Those sightes all they have forgotten clerely,
And are turned to shamefull ydolatrye.
For their God , they have sett up a golden calfe.
Moses sanctus.
Let me saye sumwhat, swete Father , in their hehalfe.
Pater cwlestis.
I wyll first conclude, and then saye on thy mynde.
For that I have foundc that people so unkynde .
GOO S I'HOMISES.
241
Xot oiu' »»l" llicm slmll iMijo>«- llii- |umiiii\sc nl' iin- ,
For oiitfryii;;*' llu' l.iinlr , l»ul (lalcl» aiul Jnsiif.
Mosrs sdiirhis.
Tliv rtoniall >vyll ovrniiorc fuUyiU'tl he.
For (IvsohcxItMU'e (liii sIomosI llu* soiiiios of Aaron ,
Tho rartlii' swell(nv«'tl in l)olli Datlian and Aliiron.
Tlu' aildcrs (led slyn|;<' othrr wyckcd jK-rsoucs els ,
111 wniidcrl'iill iiondirc, Tims liasi lliii |>oniiyslied rtdjols.
Pdlrv cculcstis.
\cvor wyll I spare llie cursed inytjuyte
Of >dolalrNe . for no «'ause , tliu luayst trust me.
Alosrs sKiirliis.
For{;evc tlieui yet, Lorde, for tliys tyine , if it may l>e.
Piilcf vwlcstis.
Thynkest tliu thai I ivyll so son*; elianfje my decre ?
I\o , no, frynde Aloses, so ly{;lit tbu shall not fynde me,
I «yll ponnysh Ihein all ; Israel shall it se.
Moses sanctits.
I >vote, thy people hath >vrouyht ahhoniynaeyon ,
AVorsIn ppyiijje false jfoddes, to thy hono;ir\s dero}>aeyon ,
A et njere> fiillye thu niayest U[)on iheni loke ;
And il' ihu uyll nol , (linist me out of tliy hoke.
Pater cwlestis.
Those jfreal hlaspkemers shall out of my hoke eleane ,
IJul thu shalt not so, for I knowe what thu doest meane.
Conduet my people , myne angell shall assyst the.
That synne at a day Myll nol uncorrected he.
And for the true zele thai thu to my jx'ople hast,
I adde thys eovenaunt unto my promyses past.
Ilayse them up I ^^yll a |>rophet<> from amonjrc (hcin ,
>ot onlyke to the, to speke my ^vordes unto them.
Whoso heareth not that he shall spcake in my name ,
1 ^vyll revenge il to hys perpetual shame.
The passover lamhc wyll he a token just
Of thys slronjje eovenaunt. Thys have I elerelv dyseuste ,
In my appontyemcnl thys houre for youre delyverauuee.
17
2-52 MIRACLE -PLAYS.
3Ioses sanctus.
Never shall tliys thynjjc depart from my rememhrannee.
Laude be for ever to the most mcreyfull lorde ,
Whyeh never vvlthdrawest from man thy heavenlyc comfort,
But from age lo ap;e thy hencfytes doth reeorde
What thy goodnesse is, and hath bene lo hys sort.
As we fynde thy {jrace , so oiight we to report.
And douhtlesse it is to ns most bounteouse,
Yea, for all our synnes most rype and plenteouse.
Abraham our father founde the benyvolouse,
So ded good Isaac in hys dystresse among-e.
To Jacob thu wert a gyde most gracyouse.
Joseph thu savedest from daung^erouse deadlye wrong:c.
Melchisedech and Job felt thy g^reat goodnesse stronge ,
So ded g-ood Sara , Rebecca , and fayrc Rachel,
With Sephora my wyfe , the dough ter of Raguel.
To prayse the, swete lorde, my faythe doth me compell.
For thy covenaunte's sake whcrin rest our salvacyon.
The sedc of promyse , all other sedes excell,
For therin remayneth our full justyfycacyon.
From Adam to Noah, in Abraham's generacyon.
That sede procxireth God's myghty grace and pow^re;
For the same sede's sake, I wyll syngie now thys howre.
\Clarn tunc voce ^ntiphotiam incipit, O Emanuel, f/tinm
chorus (lit prius) proscr/uetiir cum organis , vcl
yin(jUcc ciinat , —
O hygh kyng^e Emanuel, and our lege lorde! the longc
expectacyon of Gcntyles, and the myghtye saver of their
malty tude, the healthe and consolacyon of synuers, come
now for to save us, as our Lorde and our Redeemer.
Finit Actus fjuartus.
IMIOMISI.S.
245
ACTUS <^)L1MTS
Pater cwlesfis.
F(»r all llie faver 1 lia^r slu'>\«'»l Israel ,
ht'lvM'iMij;*' luT tioiu Pliaraoi's tyrami^f,
Aiul jji'vyiij'c llu' lamic, fliiciitcm lac cl nwl ,
\\'{ \\\\\ she iu»t leave her ohle ydolaliye,
\or kii<»\> me lor Ciiul. 1 ahhorre her mjsorye.
>"e\eil her 1 have with batlajles aiul deeayes,
Styll must I playe her, I se no other waycs.
David rex jjtus.
Uememhre yet, lurcle , thy northye servatml .Aloses ,
Wiilkynyc ia thy syyht, without reluike of the.
IJolh Aaron, Jetio , Elcazar, and Phiuees ,
Evermore leareJ to olTeiide thy ma{jeste ,
Moeh tliii aeeeptedsl thy servant Josue.
Calel. and Olhuniil souj;hl the ^^lth all lln'ir harl ,
Aioth and San;;ar for thy foihe ded their pari.
Gedeon and Thola thy eneniyes put to smart ,
,)a^r ami .lephtc [yavc prayses to thy name.
These, to leave ydoUes , thy people ded <'oarl.
Samson the ston{jest, for hys part ded the same.
Samuel and >'athan thy messajj'es ded proelame.
\Vliat lhoii';h learee Pharao «ronj;ht myschef in thy s>j;IiI
lie Avas a pajrane , laye not that in our lyi]ht.
I note the IJenjamytes ahused the \vaj es ol iv;;h(.
So lU'd ll«'lyc''s sonnes, anil llie suniies ol' Samuel.
Saul in hys offyee was sloullil'til da^e and nij;lil ,
Wycked was Scmei , so was Achitoph(d.
.Ueasure not by them the fanltes of Israel ,
^^'hom thu hast loved of lonjfe lyme so inleyriye .
Hul <»r thy ijveat ;;raee reniyl her wveked I'oUe.
244 MIRACLK - PLAYS.
Pater coelestis.
I cannot abyde the vyce of ydolatrye ,
Thougli I sliuld suffer all other vyllanye.
Whan Josue was dead, that sort from me ded fall
To the Avorshyppyno-e of Asteroth and Baal,
Full uncleane ydolles , and monsters hestyall.
David rex pins.
For it they have had thy righteouse ponnyshment.
And for as moch as they did Avyekedly consent
To the Palestynes and Chananytes ung-odlye
Idolaters , takynge to them in matrymonye ,
Thu threwest them iindre the Itynge of Mesopotamye,
After thu suhduedest them for their idolatrye.
Eyghtene years to Eglou, the hynge of Moabytes,
And XX. years to Jahin, the kynge of Chananytes,
Oppressed they were vii. years of the Mydyanytes,
And XMii. years vexed of the cruell Ammonytes.
In three great hattayles , of three score thousand and fyve.
Of thys thy people , not one was left alyve.
Have mercye now , lorde , and call them to repentaunce.
Pater ccelestis.
So longe as they synne , so longe shall they have grevauuce.
David my scrvaunt, sumwhat must I say to the.
For that thu latelye hast A\TOUght soch vanyte.
David rex pius.
Spare not, blessed lorde, hut saye thy pleasure to me.
Pater ccelestis.
Of late dayes thu hast mysused Bersahe ,
The wyfe of Urye , and slayne hym in the fyelde.
David rex
puis.
Mercye, lorde, mercye, for douhtlesse I am defyelde.
Pater ccelestis.
I eonstytute the a kynge over Israel,
And the preserved from Saul, whych was thy enemye.
Yea, in my faver , so moch thu dedyest excell ,
That of thy cnemyes I gave the vyctorye.
liOO S I>HU>11SE»
94S
Palestjnes and SM-yanos to tlio oauie tr>l>iitar> c.
AVby hast tlui tluMi wrou{jlit soi-li I'olyo in uiy syijhl,
Dfspvsynjjo my ^vorde. ajjainsl all jfodlye ryj;-|il ?
David rex pins.
I have synnoil, loril , I beseoch tlu", parilon mc.
Pater ca'tcsdw
Thu shall not ilyi", David, f'oi- tliys inyijnyte.
For thy repentainu'o ; hut ihy sonni> hv IJorsahe
Shall dve, lor as uioch as luy name Is hlasplicincd
AmoHjr mv eneuives, and thu the worse estenied.
From thy ho^\se Tor tins the swerde shall not depart.
Da Old rex pins.
I am sorve. lorde , from the hoi lorn of my hart.
Pater ccelestis.
To further au{j-er thu doest me yet compcll.
David rex pins.
For what matter, lorde? I beseech thy {joodnesse tell.
Pater cwlestis.
AVhy dedest thu numhr«' the people of Israel ?
Supposcst in thy mind therln thu bast done well?
David rex pins.
I cannot saye naye, but I ha\e done undyscretclye
To forjjet thy jjrace for a huniayne pollycye.
Pater calestis.
Thu ^hall ol' these three chose whych plajje thou u ill have.
For that synncfull acte, that I thy so«le maye save.
A scarcenesse vii. years, or else in. monthes exyle ,
Eyther for iii. dayes the pestvlence most vyle.
For one thu must have, there is no remedye.
David rex pin\.
Lorde. at thv pleasure, for tliu art lull of mercy e.
Pater cmlestis.
Of a pestylence. then iii. score thousand and ten
In III. dayes shall dy of thv most pu\sant men.
246 MIKACLE - PLAYS.
David rex piiis.
O lorde, it is I whycli have ofFeiided thy j^race,
Spai-e them and not me, for I have done the trespace.
Pater coelestis.
Though thy synnes he great, thy inwarde harte's contryeyon
Doth move my stomake in wonderful! coudycion.
I fynde the a man accordynge to my hart;
Wherefor thys promyse I make the, ere I depart.
A frute there shall come forth yssuynge from thy hodye ,
Whom I wyll advaunee upon thy seate for ever.
Ilys trone shall hceome a seate of heavenlye glorye ,
Ilys worthy scepture from ryght wyll not dyssevcr ,
Hys happye kingedome, of fayth shall perysh never.
Of heaven and of earthe he was autor pryncypall,
And wyll contynue, though they do perysh all.
Thys sygne shalt thu have for a token specyall ,
That thu mayst bcleve my wordes unfaynedlye,
Where thu hast mynded, for my memoryall ,
To huylde a temple, thu shalt not fynysh it trulye;
But Salomon thy sonne shall do that aceyon worthye.
In token that Christ must fynysh evei'y thynge
That I have begunne , to my prayse everlastynge.
David rex pins.
Immortall glorye to the, most heavenlye kynge ,
For that thu hast geven eontynuall vyetorye
To me thy servaunt, ever sens my anoyntynge,
And also before , by manye conquestes worthye.
A beare and lyon I slewe through thy strength onlye.
I slew Golias , which was vi. cul)itcs longe.
Agaynst thy enemyes thu madest me ever stronge.
My flesblye fraylenesse made me do deadlye wronge ,
And cleane to forget thy lawcs of ryghteousnesse.
And though thu vysytedst my synncfulnesse amonge.
With pestylent plages , and other unquyetnesse ;
Yet never tokest lliu from me the plenteousnessc
i;on"s PHOMisEs. 247
or lliy {j-mlly sprot«». y\\i'u]i thii in uio <lcclosl pl.iiit.
I liavynijc loiuorcc , thy <;r:u«> could*- lU'voi- ^\a^l.
For 111 ooii(lus>oii, tliy cvi'ilaslynj'r rnvcn.uiiit
Thii jyavest uiiU) iiu" for all my ^>ycl;oil hyiiiic ;
Ami hast promysj'd horo l»y proUstaeyon voiistanl.
That one of my scmIo shall soch hy};h fortune >\jnu«'.
As never tied man sens thys worlde d«'d hejjynue.
|{y hvs power he shall put Sathan from liys holde.
In rejoyee whereof to synj-e wyll I he holde.
[Canora voce tunc i»ici;j«t ^Inlip/ioiKim . O V<ltm;u , t/iidiii
{lit pyiiis) firosetjiietlir c./iin-iis cum orytiiiix, vvl
sic . liiijlicv : —
O lorde God Adonai , and };yde of the faythfull howsc
of Israel, whyeh siinityme aperedst in the flamynfj hushe to
Moses, and to hyni dedst j;eve a lawe in mounte Syna. come
now for to redeme us in the slrcn[;lhe of thy ryjjht hande.
Vinit Actus (jiiintHS.
ACTI'S SEXTUS.
Pater cieleslis.
I hroujjht up chyldren from their first infaneye,
AVhyeh now despyseth my {fodlye instruceyons.
An oxe knoweth hys lorde, an asse hys master's d«M\ly(
But Israel \\\\\ not linow me. nor my eondyeyons.
Oh fro>\ar(le pe«»ple , jreven all to superstyeyons ,
I nnalurall ehyldreii , expert in hiaspheinyes.
Provoke ill me to hate , hy their ydolatryes.
Take hedc to my wordes, ye tyrauntes of Sndnnia,
In vaync ye offer your saeryfyce to inc.
Dyseontent I am with yow hcastes <»f Gomorra ,
And have no pleasure whan I your oflorynjfes se,
I ahhorre your fastcs and your solempnyfe.
248 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
For your tradyeyoas iny Avayes ye set apart.
Your workes are in vayue , I hate tlicm from the hart.
Esaias pvopheta.
Thy cytie, svvete lordc, is now hecome unfaythfuU ,
And her condyeyons are turned up so downe.
Her lyfe is unchast, her actes he very hurtefull ,
Her niiirllier and theft hath darkened her renowne.
Covetousc rewardes doth so their conseyenee drovvne,
That the falheidesse they Avyll not help to I'yfjht,
The poore wydowe's cause come not afore their sygfht.
Thy peeeahle pathes sekc they neyther daye nor nyg-ht;
But walke wyeked wayes after their fantasye.
Convert their hartes, lorde, and geve them thy true lyght
That they maye perceyve their eustomal>]e folye :
Leave them not helpk'sse in so dope niyscrye ,
But call them from it of thy most specyall grace.
By thy true proplietcs , to their so^vle's helthe and solace.
Pater ccelestis.
First they had fathers, than had they patryarkes.
Than dukes , than judges to their gydes and monarkes :
Now have they stowte kynges , yet are they wyeked styll
And wyll in no wyse my pleasaunt lawes fulfyll.
Alwayes they applye to ydolles worshyppynge ,
From the vyle hegger to the anoynted kynge.
Esaias pvopheta.
For that cause thu hast in two devyded them ,
In Samaria the one, the other in Hierusalem.
The kynge of Juda in Hierusalem ded dwell.
And in Samaria the kyuge of Israel.
Ten of the twelve tryhes hyeame Samarytanes,
And the other two were Ifierosolymytnnes.
In both these cuntreyes , accordynge to their doynges ,
Thu permyttedest them to have most eruell kynges.
The first of Juda was wyeked kynge Rohoam,
Of Israel the first was that eruell Hieroboam ;
GOD S I'nOMISES. 249
Ahia than Iblowed , ami in the oilier \a«lah,
Thau Basa, then Ilela, then Zaiuhii , Joiaui and Achah.
Then Oehosias, then Athalia, then Joas;
On llie other part was Jonathan and Aelias.
To rehearee them all that have done wretchydlyc
In the syylii nf lln-. it were lonjje verelye.
Pater ccvlesHs.
For the wyeked synne of tylthye ydolatrye ,
WTjych the ten Irybes ded in the lande of Samaryc ,
In spaee of one daye fyfty thousand men I slewe,
Thre of their eyties also I overthrewe ,
And left the people in soehe eapty^'yte.
That in all the worlde they nyst not whyther to fle.
Ihe other ii. tryhes, whan they from me went haeli
To ydolatrye, I left in the hande of Sesaek ,
The hynjje of Eyipt, whych toke awaye their treasure,
Convayed their caitcl , and slewe them without measure.
In tyme of Achas, an hondred thousandc and twentye
Were slayne at one tyme for their ydolatrye.
Two hontlrcd thousande from thens were caplyvc led.
Their jjoodes dyspersed, and lln'y with penurye fed.
Seldom lliey fayle it, hut eyther the Ejfipeyanes
Have them in hondajje , or (ds the Assyreancs:
And alone they niaye thanke their ydolatrye.
Ksaias pvnpheta.
\Vele, yet hlessed lordc, relevc them with thy niereye.
Thoujj-h they have heen yll hy other prynees dayes.
Yet jfood Ezeehias hath tau|;hl them j;odlye wayes.
AVhan the prynee is jjood , the people are the hetJer;
And as he is noujj-ht , their vyees are the j^reatter.
Ileavenlye lorde, therfor send them the consolaeyon ,
^Vhych thu hast eovenaunted with evc-ry jjeneracyon.
Open thu the heavens , and letc the lamhc come hither ,
Whyeh wyll delyver thy people all to{>:ythcr.
^e planetcs and eloudes, east downe your dewes and rayne,
That the enrfli maye hear*- oii( heltlifid saver playne.
2o0 MIRAOrE- PLAYS.
Pater ccelestis.
Maye the wyfe forg-et the chylde of her ownc l>odye?
Esaias -propheta.
Naye , that she can not in anye wyse verelye.
Pater ccelestis.
IVo more can I them whych wyll do my commandementes,
Bnt must preserve them from all inconvenyentes.
Esaias propheta.
Blessed art thn , lorde , in all thy actes and judgcmentes.
Pater ca;lestis.
Wele , Esaias , for thys thy fydelyte ,
A covenaunt of helthe thu shalt have also of me.
For Syon"s sake now I wyll not holde my peace,
And for Ilierusalem , to speake wyll I not cease
Tyll that ryjjhteonse lorde become as a sunne beame bryg'ht,
And their just saver as a lampe extende hys lyjfht.
A rodde shall shut fourth from the olde stocke of Jesse,
And a bryji'ht blossome from that rote wyll aryse,
Upon whom alwayes the sprete of the lorde shall be ,
The sprete of wysdome, the sprete of heavenly practyse,
And the sprete that wyll all godlynesse devyse.
Take thys for a sygne, a mayde of Israel
Shall conceyve and beare that lord Emannel.
Esaias propheta.
Thy prayses coudygne no mortal tuiijje can tell.
Most worthye maker and kynge of heavenlye glorye ,
For all eapacytees thy goodnesse doth excell,
Thy plenteousc graces no brayne can cumpas trulye,
IVo wyt can conceyve the greatncsse of thy mereye.
Declared of late in David thy true servaunt.
And now confirmed in thys thy latter covenaunt.
Of goodnesse thu madest Salomon of wyt most pregnauut,
Asa and Josaphat, with good kynge Ezechias,
In thy syj>ht to do that was to the I'yght ])leasaunt.
To ([uench ydolatryc thu raysedest up Ilclias,
.Jehu . Ileliscus, Michas, and Abdias,
con's puoMisDs. 2<>1
Ami iXaamau Syrus lliii |)oiir{«-odsl ol" a U-pryt".
The workos wondoi-riill >vlio can hut maj;iiyryc?
Arysc , Iliei'iisalcui , and take (ayllic by and bye.
For the veryc Ivjfht thai shall save the is conimyu{je.
'I'he Sonne of the lord apere nyll evydentlye ,
Whan ho shall resort, se that no joye he nanlynj|e.
lie is thy saver, and thy lyfe everlastynjye ,
Tliy release from synne , and thy nhole ryyhteousncsse.
Help me in thys sonj;e to knowledj^o his |;reat gooducsse.
[Coiicitiiin tunc voce .Inlijilwnnm incliont, O radix Jesse yuam
chorus proscf/urtcr cum ortjanis. )<cl ./uffltcc hoc mod o
cauel : —
O Irutefull rote of Jesse, that shall he set as a syn[«c
aiiniMjje people, ajyaynst the worldly rulers shall feareely
open their niouthes. Whom the Gentyles >vorshypp as their
liiMvenlye lorde , eome now for to delyver us, and delaye
♦ lie tyme no lonj;ar.
/•/»// villus sexltis.
ACT! S SEPTIMIS
Pater c(vle.stis.
I liave with leareenesse mankynde oil lynies eorreete«l ,
And ajfavne I have allured hvm hy swete promes.
I have sent sore piaffes . when he hath me neirleeted ,
And then hy and hy, most eonfortahic swelnes.
To Wynne hym to jjraee, bothe mereye and ry[j^hleoiisnes
I have exercysed , yet wyll he not amende.
Shall I now lose hyni, or shall I hym defende?
In hys most raysehefe. most hy{fh fjTaee will I sende
To overeome hvm l»\ lavoure . it" it mav he.
2o2 MIRACLE - PLAYS.
With Lys ;il)usvoiis no longer wvll I conteude
But now aecouiplysL my first ivyll and decre.
My Avorde beyuge flesh, from hens shall set hym fre.
Hym teaehynge a waye of perfyght ryghteousnesse .
That he shall not nede to perysh in his weaknesse.
Joh (nines baptist a.
Manasses is past . whych tm-ned from the hys harte ,
Aehas and Amon haye now no more ado .
Jechouias with others . whyeh ded themsehes ayarte
Fro the to ydolles . may now no farther go.
The t»yo false judges, and Bei"s wyeked prestes also.
Phassur and Semeias, with Xahuchodonosore .
Antlochus and Triphou , shall the dysplease no more.
Thre score yeares and ten, thy people into Babylon
Were captyye and thrall for ydolles worsh\-|)pynge.
Ilierusalem was lost, and left yoyde of domynyon.
Brent w as their temple , so was their other buyldynge ,
Ther hygh prestes were slayne, ther treasure came to nothyng;
The strength and bewtye of thjTie owne heretag^e.
Thus dedest thu leaye then in myserable bondage.
Oft had they warnynges, sumtyme by Ezechiel
And other prophetes, as Esaye and Hicremye,
Sumtyme by Daniel , sumtyme by Ose aud Johel,
Ay Amos and Abdias , by Jonas and by Sophonye,
By Xahum and Micheas , by Agge and by Zacharye .
By Malachias. and also by Abacuch.
By Olda the ^yjdowe, and by the prophete Baruch.
Rememlire Josias, Avhyeh toke the abhomynaeyon
From the people, then restorynge thy lawes agayue.
Of Reehab consytbe the fajihfull generacyon.
Whom to Ary lie drynhynge no fryndshyppe myght coustrayne.
Remembre Abdemelech, the frynde of truthe cerlayne .
Zorobabel the pryuce, whyeh ded repare the temple.
And Jesus Josedeeh, of yerlu the exemple.
Consydre Xehemias, aud Esdras the good serybc.
Mcrcyfull Tobias . and constaunt Mardoehetis :
I-KOMISES.
Sti5
rliiilitli aiiii <|iifnf llcslcr. ni llic s.iiuc |;<*>ll> lr\lu\
Dt'voiilc M.itliias. and .liulas llat-lialxiis.
Ila\<' lUMulc of Kloa/ar, anti tlicii Joaiiiifs liircainis ,
W'ayc till' oariu'sl fayllu' of ihys j;o(llyo ooinpanyo,
Tlioujjli the otluT rloaiu' fall I'rom lliy luemoryo.
Pater nrh'sfis.
1 >v>ll Jitlian, I >vyli , for as I sayd afore,
RyyiMir ami hardenesse I have now set apart.
3Iyiidvnj;e from hens fourth to >\ynne man everm(»re
Itv ^vonderflllI hyndenesse to hreake hys stuhherne hart ,
And ehanj;e it from synne. For Christ shall snlfre smnri ,
In mannys frayle nature for hys inyquyte,
Thys to niak<' open, my massenger shalt thu he.
Joh anil es baptist a .
As thy pleasure is. so hlessed lorde appoynte me.
For my hi-lthe thu art, and my sowle's felyeyte.
Pater ca'lestis.
Loujre ere I made the, I the ])r«Mleslynate,
Before thu wert home I the endued Avilh {jrace.
In thy mother's womhe wert thu sanctyfyeatc
By my {,^odlye j;yl"t, and so eonfirmed in place,
A prophete , to shelve a wayc hcfore the face
Of my most dere sonne, whyeh \\-^\l eome : then unlyll
Applyc the apaee thyne oflyce to fulfyll.
Preaehe to the people, relMikynj;e their nej;lyj;enee ,
Doppe them in ^vater, they know l«'d..yii..(> (heir olfenee ;
And save unio •hem. The kynj;edome of (ind ilnlii ciun.
ff()/i(niiies hiijitisla.
I nnirle. lorde, I am. (Jin'a pmr eijn sum.
An olher than that, alae, I lia>e no seyenee
Fyt for that oflyee , neylher yet eleane «'lo<pienee.
Pater cwleslis.
Thu shall uol saye so, for I have {«<'ven the j;raee.
Klo(|ueuee and aj;e, to spcake in desart pla«'e.
rini niusi do (herefor as I shall the advvse ,
My app. lulled pleasure louilli iiII.t in an> « vse ;
*io4 iMIUACLE - I'LAYS.
My stronge myghtyc wordes put 1 into thy inouthc ,
Spare not, Imt speakc them to cast, west, north and southe.
[//«c extendeHs Dominns inmiuui , labia Joannis ditjito langel,
«c ori imponet auream lintjtunn.]
Go now thy waye fourth, I shall the never I'aylc ,
The sprctc of Ilelias have I yeven the alrcdye.
Persuade the people , that they their synnes hywayle ;
And if they repent their eustoniahle folye,
Lonjje shall it not he ere they have remedye.
Open Ihu their harles ; tell them their helth is eomniynge
As a voyce in desart ; sc thu deelare the thynge.
I proniyse the sure , thu shalt washe hym amonye them
In Jordane, a lloude not farre from Ilierusalem.
Johannes baptista.
Shewe me yet, good lorde, wherehy shall I knowe that man,
In the multytude whych wyll resort to Jordan.
Pater ccvlestis.
In thy mother's uomhe of hym haddest thu cognycyon.
Johannes haptista.
Yea , that was in sprete. I wolde now knowe hys person.
Pater cwlestis.
Have thu no feare , Johan , hym shalt thu knowe full well ,
And one speeyall token afore wyll I the tell.
Super qtiem videris spiritum deseendentem et nianentem
Super earn , hie est rpii baplizat spiritu sancto.
Amonge all other whom thu shalt hapiyse there.
Upon whom thu seyst the Holy Ghost desceude
In shappe of a dove , restynge upon hys shuldere ,
Holde hym for the same , that shall the worlde amende
By haptysm of sprete, and also to man extende
Most speeyall grace. For he must reparc hys fall,
Restorynge agayne the justyce orygynall.
Take now thy journaye , and do as I the advysc ;
First preaehe repcntaunec , and than Uie people baptyse.
god's I'UOMISES. 2S3
Johannes baptista.
Hyjyli hououi- , Avorshypp , and glorye l)e unto the ,
My God eternall, and patronn of all puryte.
Repent, good people, for synnes that now are past.
The kynjjdome of heaven is at hande very nye.
The proiuysed lyjjht to yow approeheth fast ,
Have faythe , and applye now to recyve him boldelye.
I am not the lyg'ht, but to beare testymonye
Of hym am sent, that all men maye beleve,
That hys blonde he wyll for their redcmptyon geve.
He is soeh a lyght as all men doth illumyne.
That ever were here, or shall be after thys.
All the worlde he made by hys myghtye power devyne ,
And yet that rude worlde wyll not knowe what he is.
Hys owne he enterynge, is not regarded of hys.
They that reeeyve hym , are God's true ehyldren playne ,
In sprete regenerate , and all graee shall attayne.
Manye do rechen , that I Johan Baptyst am he ,
Deceyved are they , and that wyll apere in space.
Though he come after, yet he was longe afore me.
We are weake vessels, he is the welle of grace.
Of hys great goodnesse all that avc have we purchase.
By hym are Ave like to have a better inerees
Than ever we had by the lawe of Moses.
In Moses harde lawe we had not els but darkenes ,
Fygure and shaddowe ; all was not els but nyght,
Ponnyshment for synne, much rygour, payne and roughnes.
An hygh change is there, where all is turned to lyght,
Grace and remyssyon anon wyll shyne full bryght.
Never man lyved that ever se God afore ,
Whych now in our kynde mannys ruyne wyll restore.
Helpe me to geve thankes to that lorde evermore ,
AVhych am unto Christ a cryar's voyce in the desart.
To prepare the pathes and hygh wayes hym before ,
For hys delyght is on the poore symple hart.
250
>iiR vci.i: - n. \Ys.
That iiinocml laiiil*!- Irom s<m-Ii wyll lu-vcr ilcparl ,
As wyll faylhrullye roreyve liym wilU yootl myinl.-.
Lcte our voyci' llien souiulc In some snele inusycall liyiuU'.
iRcsonu liiuc voce Antiphonam inci/tit, O rlavis Daviil, tniam
proset/uctur chorus cum orijimis, ul ptiux, vvl in
Anr/lico sermon n sic : —
O ])rrfyj;lil koyc of l)a\i(l, and liVjjIi sccpliirc of ||ii>
kyn(ii«'(l oC Jaeoli, wliyrh opciiosl .hkI ho iii.ni spearclh ,
tini s]>eakrsl ami no man opcnclli; come and delyver tliy
servaunl manliyn<l«>, lioiind in prison, syllinj; in IIm' tlarkncsse
ol" synne and hytler dampnaeyon.
Jiidt'iis , Prolorntnr.
The mailers are soeli thai we h.i\c nllered heir
As oujjlil not to slyde liom your menioryall ;
For they have opened soeh conlVtrlahU' j;«'re.
As is to the hellhe of this kynde universall ,
Graces of the lorde and promyses lyl»erall,
Whyeh h<' lialh j;e\en lo man for every ajjc.
To knylt hym to Christ , and so clere hyni of hon<laj>e.
As saynt Panic doth write unto the Corinthes pkiyne ,
Our fore fathers were undre the cloud of darkenes.
And unto Christe's days ded in the shachlowe rrmayne;
Yet were they not left, for of hym they had pr<»mes ,
All they reeeyved one spiryliiall fedynjje donlitles.
They dronke of the roeke whyeh them to lyfe r«'freshe«l.
For one savjnjjc helthc , in Christ, all they confessed.
In the woman's scde was Adam first juslyfyed.
So was faylhfull IVoah , so was just Ahraliam;
The faylhe in that sede in Moses fourth innltyplyed.
Lykewyse in David and Esaye that after earn,
And in Johan llaptyst, whyeh sluMvid (he very lam.
Thouf'h Ihey se afarre , yet all (hey had one justycc ,
One masse, as they call it, an«l in Christ one sacryfyce
con's pnoMisF.s. «i;»7
A man can nol luu'o lo iloA ^\o hotter sorvyoo ,
Than on tli\s lo j;rouiul(' liys layllu' antl uiulorstandjnjjo.
For all llie n'orhh'''s synno alon»' <ihrist j)a)(Ml lh«> ])ry«'o.
In liys «»nlyt' doathi' was niannys lyf*' ahvayes resljnjjc ,
And not in ^vyll avoi-Kcs, nor yet in nicnnys doservyng'e ,
The ly{;hl of onr fay the niak«» 'hys lhyn<;«' «^vydonf .
And not the praelyso oColhor experinuMil.
Where is now t're wyll, whom the hypoerytes comment ?
Wherehy they report they maye at their owne ])h>asiire
Do jyood of tliems«'hes, thoii;;h j;raee and I'aj th he ahseni.
And have j^ootl intciites tlieir uiatlnesse with lo measnre.
The wyli of the tleshe is proved here small treasure.
And so is mannys will, for the j;raee of Cj1(mI dolh all.
More of tli^s matter <'i>nelude herealler Me shall.
Thus endelli tliys Tra{;edy or enlerlude, manyfesl.ynf|-c
Ihe chefe promyses of Ciod unl<> Alan hy all a};es in I lie
olde lawe, from ihe fall of Adam., lo the inearnae^on of
the lonle Jesus ilhrist. l>om])y l<>d hy Johau Hayle. Anno
Domini i^5i(.
19
GLOSSARY.
w¥--*'
\:^
(; T. O S S A K \
.\, avf, ever. A i^ sonieJiiiii-s usoti
iiisteail of 1 as pirsoiial pioiiouii.
Vrconihrr. '17t^. to (ivcr^lu'lm . to
tlcslroy.
VioM, 05, so lalk-a.
Ai;lic, 17o, uwi: , dread.
Vijlit, lliii, I'^O. ll»e «"'|' <»la>vo.
Vleoiid, 7 J, 1j\ land.
Amclle , OiJ, ainoni;.
Ai-erlely. 24. j ,.,.„,,.,.„^
Appeartcly, o^. )
Arc, lo2, l.dor.-.
Arcre, >48 , to raise.
A rcvant, 102, had; ajjaiii.
Assc, 97, to asl; >villi autlioritj ,
tu command.
Alho|j , UO, as tlioii|;li
Auyciit, 77, auifust.
Avowtrec, lUG, adiiltcr\.
A-vvc, 93, to owe, the old present
tense of ought.
A>vrc, 121 .
Awro, 112,
Awlcr, oo, iJ'S , altar
aii(;lil.
Balr .
Balk.
w.
17, 1^0, p.rief. uiisci
110 . a ridp.c of land
to [ironiise.
Baylle, 102, lOG, i;ricf. misery.
BajTie, 17, to lulon}' to. to l»e
of kin to.
Baync, 8, 7fl. i>r<'|iar(d . r<:i<l>
Bedene, 117, inimediateh .
Begownne, 42, eonimittcd.
Beheiuht, 10, 20, jironiised.
Behest. liJ. covenant; ir>2 . to
promise, to command.
Bchet, li),
Behite, i^i
Bclaniy, 109, 171, 175, hel ami?
Bcli};hle. 10. to helicvc.
Bclke, 18t>, to hileh.
Bely^e, 7, 102, (juichl>.
Beniys, 42. h.ains. ra^s.
Bendys. 18;!, hands or rihhons
Benste , I lO , 121, hene.Iicitc.
Bent, 115, the open held.
Bere, 125, a noise.
Beslicw, 29, read heshrew, to curse.
Be-telle, 159, to deceive, to mislead
Beteyehe , 02 , to commit.
Beth, 42, he
Bejii. loi! . a heau
Beyr, 109, a noise.
Bidciie. 170, see hedcue.
Bij;i;id, l««», huildcd.
Bhn%dyr, 40, scandal.
BIc. liO, lol, face, couiilcnaiRC.
Ii02
a imshilc.
Ideai'cd
lo cease, to
<lesist.
incssajjr.
JBlekjt, 185, I.lacl>c<i.
Blende, 149, to shed.
Bleiite, ol, blinded.
Blonder, 109, sorrow
Blowre, 105, a pinipl
Blure , hrought on, 182
the eye , deceived.
Blyn, 3, 7, 17,
Blynne, li>l, 1G2,
Bodwoid, 98. 17.>
Bon, 14o, l>ound.
Bone. 101, lOG. a boon.
Boote , 24, profit , gain.
Borghe, 1«j8, a snrety.
Bot , hut , except; hot if, unless.
Bonne, 13, 2o, prepared, ready.
Bow, bete the, 44, heat the bush.
Bowke, 18ij, bulk, stomach.
Bowne, 4, H, 9G, prepared, ready.
Bowrde, 120, a joke.
Boyn, 147, 1152, a boon.
Boytt, 149, a compensation; more
commonly help or succour.
Brade, l^>o, a start, a sudden turn
or assault; 1G4, to start.
Brand, 157, a sword.
Brefes, 179. 182, letters.
Brest, 141, 142, to burst.
Brodelle , lGt>, a blackguard.
Broude, 74, 201, a sword.
Brynily. 17G, fiercely.
Bryth , 42, bright.
Bun, 111, loG, bound.
Burde , 6, a board.
Bynke, 190, a bench.
Byth, 42, but.
C.
Carl, 99, a churl, a bondman.
Carp, 100, to relate, lo talk.
Catyfes, 17o, 17G, caitifls.i
Catyfnes, 147, 188, captivity.
wrelchedness.
Cele, 129, 141, ? ,
Ceylle, 127. \ ^^^VV^^'^"-
Charys, 119, lurns, jobs.
Chefe, 122, to succeed.
Chepe , 114, merchandise.
Chevithe, lo4, to make a bargain.
Chyte, 131, to chide.
Clekyl, 183, hatched.
Clok , 111, to clock, the noise a
hen makes when she has ceased
to lay, and is desirous of sitting
upon her eggs.
Clowte , U4, a mark, a blow.
Cokwold . 43. 4'6, a cuckold.
Conseil, 72, concealment.
Cop . 13«j, a cup,
Courte-rollar , 182, the writer or
keeper of the rolls of a court
of law.
Couthe, 9ij. 112, could.
Co^v le , 8, colewort , cabbage.
Crak. 12o, to boast.
Groyne, 12i). 155, to crone, to
utter a low murmuring sound.
Crisp , 1 8iJ, fine linen or cobwed
lawn.
Crumpe, 178, the cramp.
Cuker, 184, part of a vvoman's
head dress.
D.
Dalle. 153, 179, the hand.
Dalyawnce, SO, dalliance, conjugal
conversation.
Darfe, 17o, hard, cruel.
Dayntethe . 1G2, a dainty thing.
Dede, 137, 149, death; 103, 107,
dead.
Beeme, 37, to redeem.
Deene . 7. sec bedene.
Defyne, 2G, to defy.
Deirync. 2G, dear.
Delf, 9r>, to dig.
.Dclfe. lUG, a grave.
Demc , 188, lo doom, to judge.
Dcre , li>7, 1 7G, hurt, damage.
Dcrfe. 190, hard, cruel.
GLOSSARY.
«i<tr>
Dern , 181. coiicealoil . sccroL
Dcryr , lii. duly
Diyps, 0. dm\i>.
Di|;lit. iJ, lo, 27. to |tr<'|>ari'. to tlics
DoltJ , H»9. stupid, confused.
Dole, 22. a part.
Doket . 10 J. a shrt'd or pifCi-.
Do^vsf, 117, a slut.
Dojile. lOo, 1-40, dolor, {jrief.
Drav. 110. to ilra^v.
Dre, 148, lo2, to endure.
Dresse. G^t, to address.
Duy, 18iJ. to cut?
Dastards 157. dastards?
D>vere, '41, a door.
Dy{;lit. 78. lo7. prepared.
Dyke. Oo, to make ditches.
Dynj;, 107. 1G8, to cast do\>n.
Dvtars. 181. inditers , accusers.
E . aye.
Ee. ilG. 17G. the eye.
Eeyue, 110. 105, tlie plural of
eye.
Efte . 1^5. ajjain.
Eich , each.
Elyke, 90, alike.
Enielle, 9^, 99. among,
r.nderes. 89. the last.
r,ne>ve , 120. 180, enough.
Everichan. 10, 107, every one.
Eyvin, 62, even, equal, fellow.
Fa. liiO. faith.
Faed. 1^9. faded.
Fang. 100. 155. to take.
Fard . 155. afraid.
Farde %>itl» fantafye, 10. full of
deceit.
Early. 162, strange.
Fame, 128. 129, pa>t part of fare.
Fassion. 7 4. falchion.
Fature. 101>. 100. 108. a lazv . I
idle fello>>.
Fa»cun. 7^. a falcon.
Fax, 185, the hair of the head
Faye, 15, 48, faith
FajTie , 00, 05, glad , desirous.
Feare, a mate, a comrade; in fere,
27. in company, together.
Feature , 20, 54, a deceiver.
Fee, 9i;, cattle.
Fcctly, i»0, filly.
Feignc .21. glad . desirous.
Fell, 21, skin, hide.
Felle, 94, 148, many.
Felter, I80, to entangle.
Ferd, 41. 42, fared.
Ferde, 17o, 178. fear.
FerdcU, 208. a bundle.
Fere, a mate, a comrade ; in fere,
79. 81. in company, together.
Fere. 98, to put in fear.
Ferray, of. 182. on a foray.
Fetyld, 180, prepared, made ready
for use.
Fejiic, 214, to be glad.
Flekyt, 185, mended.
Flemyd, 195, driven out, put to
flight.
Flume. 105, a river.
Flyt, 105, 104. to fly.'to llee from.
Flytars, 179, 180, scolders,
Foche, 100, to fetch.
Fon, iii'ii, to be foolish.
Fou, 184, found.
Fone, 3, foe.
Fonge, 4, see fang.
Food, liJl. oil spring.
Foore, llo, 191. the imp. of fare.
Fordo , 78. 9o. to destroy.
Forebyer. 10, IVedeemer.
Forfete, 42, to forfeit, to transgress.
Forgang, 110. to forego.
Forn, liii. before.
Forrakyd , 117. overdone %>ith
>%alking.
Forspok\n, 151. be*>itched
264
Fortaxctl, 109, wrongly taxc«l.
FortLy . o4, 101, ihcrefore , for
tliis cause.
Forlhynk , 115, 127, lo repent,
to grieve.
Foryeten, 7, forgotten.
Fott, 127, to fetch, to take.
Founde, 17, ) to try, to
Fownde, lo8, liJ8, ) attempt.
Fowre, lOo, 112, the
of fare.
Foyn, 147, the j.lural of foe.
Foyne, 118, 142, a heap, an
abundance.
Frankishfare , C, nonsense.
Frast, 98, i 78, to inquire, to tempt.
Fryg , 18y, a freik , a man.
Fryth, frith; he frylh, C8, hy sea.
Fun, 94, 111, found.
FyJd, field ; be fyld, 68, hv land.
G.
Gadlyng, 1S6, 1G8, an idle fellow.
Oang, 122, loo, to go.
Gar, lol, 132, lo cause, to make.
Oarray , 106, 129, array, troops.
Gart, the imp. of gar.
Gate, way ; alle gate, lo4. alway.
<lawde, 94, 102, tricks.
Gay It, li»o, see gate.
Gent, yO, gentle.
Gere, 168, 178, gear.
Gett, 184, fashion.
Geyn, 139, given.
Glase, 119, gloss, appearance.
Glede, 83, a fire.
Gowles, 31, gulls.
Gramercy, 42, 46, 48, many thanks.
Gramory, 183, Latin learning.
Gramyd, lili, angered, afflicted.
Grathly, 165, suddenly, swiftly.
Grayd, 168, past part, of gray tlie
lo prepare.
Greesly, 54. grislj, horrible.
Grcete, 20, grit, gravel, earth.
Grctc, liJ2, 178, to weep.
Grewys, 186, grieves.
Grill , 4, to anger, to pain.
Grise, 177, to shudder, to tremble.
Grofen , 104, past part, of grufe
to grow.
Grueh, lo6, to repine.
Grysely, 2tJ, 179, grisly, horrible.
Gyn , ii2, to begin.
Gyrd , 131, to strike oil'.
Gyse, 42, 43, guise, way, fashion.
H.
llaghc, lOij , an interjection of
astonishment.
Ilak, 12i>, 135, to hack, to sing
badly.
Hamyd, 109, hemmed in, sur-
rounded.
ILtp, 124, to wrap up, to cover.
liar, 84, 16o, to liarry, to plague.
Ilardely, 105, 159, certainly.
Ilarie , 79, trouble.
IIarn<!s, IIU, 122, brains.
Uaro, 177, ) the ancient Nor-
Ilaroo, 124, > man Hue and
llarro, 1 6i», ) Cry.
Ilarslo, 163, hearest thou.
Hatters, 128, spiders.
Uawvelle and jawvellc , 186 .
haTcrs and jabbering, idle talk.
He, 6, 150, high.
Hcale, 9, health.
Height , 27 ; see beheight,
lleings, 28.
Uek, 119, a door.
Hem, liim, llieni.
Hend. 12, courteous, kind.
Ilent, 86, 98, to take; bentc 21.
taken , caught.
Hete, 11J2, 135, to promise.
Ilethyug, 182, scorn, derision.
Iletyng, 15i>, a promise.
Heynde, 97, 152, courteous, kind ;
107. applied to inanimate objects,
commodious.
Gross vnv.
«2r».>
r.l.
to liaslili
Jl.-.l.
Ih\ll . lOr.. |.in
llit;h. 'i4M». to li
Ili,;lit. 10. ir>7
llir, !ier.
lludys, i>l, liuods.
lloket, 182, lilo, scum.
Hole, 08, to letth, to taki'.
Iloiide, >i2, ii'i. the hand.
lion.-. 100. to delay.
Hose, I'io. boarsf.
Hoiilf . 17. to l;iio>>.
lliirhil. 18J5, Ntariii};, I>rislIod,
HjdJ, 10, 180. 1 to hi.-, to
Hye, 7, 8, 78. ) hasl.-ii.
Hyifc. >i2, oo. hi,;h.
Hyijht. 123, i.roinisid.
llyiid , C8, (JO, oourteoiis. kind.
llyne, llo, 180, a servant.
llync, 28, to hie. to hasten.
llyne, 102, henee.
Ilytt the pynne, i!o . to knock
the ri(jht nail on tlie head , to
guess rij;h(.
I.h, I.
l.h, 120. I^il, each.
Ilk, 117, I'il. eaeh.
like, lo, I70, same.
Ilkon, 10.', ea.h.
Ill-a-hale, MO, ill I... k lo you,
ill liiek on it.
Inelysse, 20, in elysse, in (jloiy'.'
Intrastc, 107, entrace ?
I^^TS , loO, loo, certainly.
J.
Jaheil. 211, a gossip.
Jape, 18^5, deceit.
Jape, 110, a deceiver.
Jesen, 81, 8o, a lyingin ehildlted.
Jo»ke. 18o, a dissenihler.
K.lle. 18.-,. a (aul. |.ail of a
^>onl^n■^ Inail dri-Ns
h.n. I!». 2 1. III.' I.n.'.-.
Ken . iK*. 0.;. 08. I.> Loom.
Ileiiie. 8'i. an i.ll.- |.eis.,n . a
Aagaliond.
Kejsar, 80. Ctesar or einneroi-.
Kna^e, 128, a l>o> ; knax.ehii.l.
120, man-child.
Kno^^lyeh, oo, to aekn(M\ ledge.
Kokel, 182, cocked, eo.|.i.lish.
Kun tliank. O'S, lo thank.
K> , ^>i. lo kjke, to look.
It yd, I^i7, 170, past part, of kythe.
K\nk<-, 170. to draw the lir.alh
audiidy, to laugh aloud.
K>nn>s, >io, kind, manner.
Kyppys, 128, skips.
Kythe, l-iO. to sho\^, lo make
evid.-ut.
Laghe, 17;;, law.
Lakan, 117, 140. a play tiling ,
a toy.
L.ike, ll'S, 12.'>, lo play
I.are, 00, lore, learning.
Lathe, 100, loathsome.
Lawdys , 1 1 '4, the laudes or lauds,
the concluding part of the .Matins
service.
Lay, iJo, song, all'air. thing.
Lay. 201, law.
Lean-, 2o. to learn, lo l.-ach.
I.edden , 0, language.
Li'de, a people, a nation: in led.-.
10.', lOo, amoni; the jieopl.-.
Ledyr, 1 l.'.. lazy.
Lee , .T 1, pleasure.
Leech, o-S. I.i <iire. |.> pr.s.-r*.-.
Leeven, 10. 17. I.i l>.li.^.-; aK.i
to leave.
Lefe, ilO. I.. I,elie^e.
Legg.-. 171, to all.dge. lo eil.-
Leie, 127, loyal, faithful.
Leiil.'. 17. tarrying.
Lere. I I U. 172. I.. I.arn. I.i l.-.a. h
!>0
266
GLOSSARY.
Let, 17, to cease.
Letberly, 114, lowly, meanly.
Lever, 126, 179, ) tl>e comparl-
> tive of leyi'
Levyr, 4iJ, j ,^.^^^ '
Levyn, 152, lightuiug.
Lewd, loi, 142. unlettered, one
of the leod or common people.
Levvtye, 12, lawty, fidelity.
Ley l»e, 62, lay by, cease.
Leyclie, 62, a pbysician.
Leyd, in, liil; see lede.
Leygis, 64, leagues.
Ley-land, 112, unploughed land.
Leyn, 99, IIG, to lend, to grant.
Leynd, 97, 102, to tarry, to
remain.
Liharde, 8, a leopard.
Ligged, 16, lurked.
Loe, 10, to tLink.
Lollar, 182, one of the sect of
the Lollards.
Looe, 6i>, a lowe, a mount.
Loppys, lOo, lops, fleas.
Lorden, see lurdan.
Lore, 7, learning, direction.
Loryd, 101, learned.
Lose, 194, praise.
Losell, 101, I a dissolute
Lossell, 20, 28 ) lazy fellow.
Losyngere, 8C, a liar.
Loten, 112, see sowre.
Lo^vd and slill, 4, at all times.
Lowte, 27, ) ,
■•^ f to bow, to
Lowth, S2, J
Luddoldiys, 18o,
Lufly, 134, lovely.
Lurdan, 101, 164,
Lurd(!yn, 20o,
Lyere, 149, flesh.
Lymbo, 164, 168. Limbus is the
name given by the Church of
Rome to the place in which it
is supposed the righteous were
confined before our Saviour's death.
bend.
a dissolute
lazy fellow.
Lyme, 2ij, a limb, an assistant.
Lyst, 94, lust, pleasure.
M.
Ma, li>6, my.
Maculacion , S3, a spot , a stain.
Make to make, 7, mate to mate,
like to like.
Maken, 9, to mate, to associate.
Mai'oo, 124, an associate.
Mase, 97, 164, the 3rd person
singular of may to make.
Masyd, 170, amazed, bewildered.
Maugre, 205 , in spite of , not-
withstanding.
Maweless, 28, unsubstantial, false.
Mawgre, 208, in spite of, not-
withstanding.
Mawmentry, 139, idolatry.
Ma ye, 2^5, 54, a maid.
Maylle easse, 126, mal-aise, illness.
Mayne, 20, 23, main, might.
Meanye, 7, 13, see meneye.
Measse, 98, a mess, the measles,
leprosy, scurvy.
Mede, 84, lt>5, reward, desert.
Mcdille-erd, 178, the middle ha-
bitation between heaven and hell,
the world.
Mefe, 194, to move,
Mekylle , 99, 104, much.
Melle,27, 49, to meddle, to contend.
Melle, 97, 1156, to tell, to speak.
Mener, 154, handsome.
Meneye, 104, 120, liJ7, ) a noun of
Menyee, 130, ISO, J multi-
tude, having in general a relative
signification according to its con-
nexion. Thus the meneye of a
king is his court and retinue; of
a general , his army ; of our
Saviour , his disciples. Anglo
Saxon maniu, mcenigeo, or nice-
nigu, the word used by ^Elfric
a«{7
(•(.I- Jlir i<.iij;ri-i;alioii tif llii- Cl.il-
.iivu of Israel.
Mi>ii|;. lii'2, lo iiiiii|;li-.
Mini, 70, 77, 100, in.aiit, miiHliil.
MfSi'lK-, 104, lUiMsl.-.l . allli,!..!
\\illi leprosy or sciir>\.
Mcve, 00, to move, lo inuol , lo
arpie.
Meyne, I lo, 192, llw l.ass pari
ill siiifjiii);.
Mielde, 2«», 2«. muih.
Missaes. liiO, ^>liat is mis-said,
lies, cSo.
Mom 01), lo iniiinMe.
Moil, 104, i07, 10«, m.isl.
-Mote, 2ii, 50, to moot, to aryiie.
Mow, 140, lo make iiioullis, j;,.;.
maces.
.Moytt, lol, 170, lo moot, to aij;iiiv
-Muf, 09, to mov.-.
Mychers, lo7, 170, ch.alers.
Myn, 14, 17, liiO, to have in mind,
to remember.
-Myii, 100, less.
Myssase, 10(), to mi<.-sa\ . lo lie,
to coiitradiel.
Myster, 190, need.
Mystyz, o4, mysterious, unknown.
\n|>aii(l, 19.">, );as|>in|r.
I>ate, 139, to have occasion lor.
I>ately, 115, neatly.
Nawre. 121. Ilie nejjalive of anre.
IVc, nor.
Ncemly, 118, nimhly.
IVegons, 195, negh ones? \eij;h-
liours.
\eowell. 75. a Christ mas <aiol.
\ere hande. 109, 191, almost,
Tcry near.
IVcsh, 12«, tender.
Ncven,98, llo, to name, to speak,
ijjreniy, 54, neeromaney.
:Ni
>onvs, 127.
iKinee. purpose.
>..res. !!>(;, )
>, , , 1 a nurse.
or>se, I'll. )
Note, II, 125, ) iMisiness, oe
>ojle, 9», 170. i eupation.
>olhl, 41, iioinjht.
>oye, 5, 7, aiiiioyaiiee, hurl.
!\urry. 20, a iuirs]iii|;, a rliild.
Ayfyis, 1J{;>, trifles.
<>.
Oder. 195. other.
Okerars, l8iJ, usurers.
Onys, 45, oiiee.
Or. ere, hefore.
Oulehorne, 19o, an oiitla>\
Owlh, 49, 1>5. oiij;lil. any thiiij;.
|>
Parde, 40. IIO, parDieu, h,\ (;od.
I'arra|;c, 71, jiareiitajje, evtraetioii.
i>ay, 02, lil.ini;. satist'aclion.
Pay, 100, to please.
Payer, 24, lo imjiair , to lessen.
Perde, 125, 151, see parde.
Peryii(; , 77, appeariii(;.
Pely eiiime, 4i>, a lueaii adversary.
a slanderer.
Pighl, 149, to complain.
Pijjhte, 22, 55, fixed.
Plejny, 4i>. 1 09, to <omplain.
Po," IIO, a peaeoel;.
Postee, 18, 19, po^^.r.
Prolles, 2o, proofs.
Prow, 44, 109, prr)fil.
Pyrie, 00, a sutldeii >vinil.
Pystylle, III, an epistle.
Q
(^hiaiit>se, 9;S, 158. euiiiiini;
(^Inere , 07, choir.
(^»ueasse, 12(5, lo w hee/.e. to hreath
with din'l(ull\.
Qwedyr, 40. to (piiMr. to ^lial.e.
IV
llai I- . ;I I . train ?
Had. I 14. l.U}. afraid
268
GLOSSARY,
Radly, 107, .juiclily.
Rafte, *28, reft, lalaii uAvay.
Ra}jniaii, roll of, 182, any authentic
catalogue or list drawn up *<?-
cinirfmu reffimeu.
Rake, 159, ian.;e, liheity.
Ral;y.l, 117, fonal.yd.
Raniyd, 109, thiiist , cast donn.
Rape, an, to hasten.
Rathly, lol, ready.
Reach, O'i, to red; , to care.
Read, 19, 28, ) , .
Red , G, 8/i, S ''^'"''^ *=""""■'•
Red, 18, oa, to advise, to counsel.
Refe, 109, 1G7, to hereave, to roh.
Rel;, 119, 195, to recli, to care.
Reme , 80, 87, realm.
Renderars of reflys , 1 79, those
^vho undertalie to restore stolen
goods for a reward.
Rerd, 178, a Toiee, a noise.
Rcw , lo7, to compassionate.
Reyllc, 118, to ranihle about.
Ro, 140, rest.
Rode, 1-^7, i
Roode, 55, 114, J
Rok, 122, a distaff.
Rollar; see courte-rollar.
Rome, G, to roam.
Rowners , 18o, whisjierers.
Rude, li;2, ii19; see rode.
Ruled out of rave, 50, deprived
of reason.
Runl.ers, 18o, douhle tongued.
Rused , 1U5, praised.
Ryth, 42, right.
Sagh, 151, to say.
Sairjour , 2G, saviour.
Sahies , 14G, Idanscless , inuoeent.
Sam, 151, 142, together.
Sawe, 24, 95, a saying, a report.
Sawgeoure , 182, a soldier.
Sawier, 107. IS'i, (he psalter.
the cross.
Saynt , llij, say it.
Schape, o5, oS, to escape.
Schapp , 82, shape, make.
See, 21, 50, a seat, a thi'one.
Seekerly, 17, certainly.
Seith, 51, since.
Sekyr, 42, sure, certain.
Selco\>lh, 9G, seldom, extraordinary.
Sely, 109, 110, simple.
Sen, 145, 14i>, since.
Serys , 48, 49, sirs.
Seth, 22, since.
Seven, to set all in, 15S, to put
all in order.
Sew, 107, to follow.
Sey, 87, to assay , to attempt.
Seyd, 49, 97, seed; 49, said.
Seyr, 171, various.
Sharme, 204, to sham.
Shekyls, 111, ague, trembling.
Shentc, 2o, 57, ruined, destroyed.
Sheynd, 100, 152, to ruin, to
destroy.
Shone , 1 10, the plural of shoe.
Shrew, 25, 115, a cui-sed fellow.
Shrew e , 48, 119, to cui'se.
Shroges, 12o, rough uninclosed
ground more or less covered with
brushwood.
Sith, 8, 14, since.
Skant, 78, scant, scarcely.
Shape, 99, 119, to escape.
Skawde, 150, a scold.
Skawte, 195.
Skraw , 1 o4, a scroll.
Slea, 5'5. to slay.
Slewfhe, 180, sloth.
Slich, 4, I ,.
Slicke, 6, \ ^'""'^
Sloghe, 122
Slokya, 155, to slake, (o <|uench.
I Slose, 155, sloth.
Slyke. 98, such like.
Slylh, 112, to slit, to fear.
Snek. 119. the latch of a door.
(.il.OSSAHY.
2(J1»
Sofl'freiit , iJt). sovfrriji
Sonde, 42, o4. OH, ;i
icssage ,
to destroy.
a nicssiMipcr.
Soore, Gl. e\ceediii);ly.
Sole. 2(H). )
So.h, 12. 17.5 '"'''
SSolhrcn. 1 10. foiled, eaten away.
Soundc , 1 7, a voice , a ■word.
Sowe, 98, 102, to ensue, to follow.
Sowre loti-n , 112, sour leaven is
derived from lcavin(; the jiieee
of dou)jli to ferment ; loten
si}piilies the same . and is the
part, of Icetan , to lea\e.
Soyn, 9i). 97, soon.
Sparte . Itto. spare it.
Spearcth . 2i50, aslieth, euquiretL.
Spere , 70, spirit.
SpUl, >}, lo.
Spylle, 94, 9o.
Springe. 24, 29, to llourisb , to
succeed.
SpjT, 181, to ask, to enquire.
Spylus. 110, 17G. spiteful.
Stad. 102, } ... ,
Sted, 111. ,r,8. 5 •'♦•■•"'' !•'--''•
Stealie, II. to fasten witb slii lis.
Stede, 12 J, lol, a place.
Stevyn , 132, a voice.
Stourc , IGo, a trouMe. a jterilous
situation.
Stowcr, lo. a steer.
Stow he , 1 8.!. l«tl\e sheaves of
corn pileil up.
Sto>%ude. 178, an acute pain.
SulVernlis. 00. sovereijjus.
Suspowse, 127, suspicion.
Swedylle, 124. l.jO, l» s"a(lie.
to hind.
S%vell, 127. to die.
Swepys , liJo, %vhips.
S^^evyn, 122, a dream.
Swill;. 184. 187. such.
Swongeii, loo, jiasl pari. «fN%\iiijye
to heat.
S%%ych. 4o. such.
Swynk, 115, 119, to toil.
Swythe. 107, swift, quick.
Syhhe, 49. oo, a relation hy hlood,
a kinsman, a kinswoman.
Syn, 112, 127, since, afterwards.
Syse, oo. assize, judgement.
Syth, 41, time.
Svthen, 9o, 98, since, allerwards.
Tane. 120. taken.
Ta\ed , see fortaxed.
Taylle , 170, an account.
Teene, to take, 19, to take heed to.
Tene , lo, 1.12, grief.
Tent, 43, 94, attention, heed.
Tent, 178, 18o, to take heed to
Teychc, see heteyche.
Teyn, 188, grief.
Teyn, 137, 171, to allllict, to
provoke.
Thar, 180. 189. to need.
Tharmes, 122. gnls.
The. thee, the>.
Thew. 182. service.
Tho. 187. those.
Thole. 119. 149. lo suller.
Thoner. 104, thunder.
Thraw, 147, lo4, a short sjiace
of time.
Threpe, 114, to trip.
Thurt, 109, 190, the imp. of Ihar.
TliMljd, lol, pierced through.
To and til arc used indiscrimately
»\ith referenie hoth to time and
place.
Tollare, 182, a speaker.
Tolle, 40, to tell.
Tome, 128, 178. cmpl>
Ton, i»4, toes.
Topeas, 0, topmast.
Trantes. IGG. tricks.
Trayn, 101. an arlilice. a coniri-
^an^ ••.
270
tiLOSSAKY.
Trete, on, 179, in an entreating
manner.
Tristur, 181, the place allotted
to a person in hunting.
Trowse, 117, ) to tie up the
Truse, G5, ) breeches.
Truage, 7o, toll, custom.
Trus, 18o, 192, to pack, to go.
Twayne, 17, 7 . ,• j
Tnyn, 144, 164, 5
Twyfyls, 18o, tvTO-folds.
Twyh, 143, to twitch, to pull
suddenly-
Tyne 147, 180, to lose.
Tyte, 107, 151, quid;, suil't; as
tyte, ioG, as quich as possihle.
Tythyng, Go, 73, tidings.
Tytter, 103, a tittle, the least
distance.
u.
Umthynke, 171, to deliberate.
Unethes, 182,
Unothes, li>3,
Unfeayne, 3i>, unfeigned.
Unys , 104, probably a mistake in
the original copyist for uuys ,
ewes.
Ure , 1 10, to experience.
V.
Veramcnt , 3G, verily, truly.
Voket, 173, an advocate.
\ owgard , 194,
Vroken , 207, revenged.
\w.
Walk-mylne, 18o, a fulling mill.
Wall, weale and wytt, 19, power,
felicity and wisdom.
Wan, 9G, imp. of win, (o go.
W^ar, 117, worse.
W^arloo, 132, 13i>, ^ a warlo(;k ,
AVarlou , 1(H. ) ;. wizard.
scarcely.
W ar-oute, 192,a term used indriving.
Warry, 14, 109, to curse.
Warte , 183, wear it, spend it.
Wafe, 130, wote, knew.
AVate, 190, wet.
AA'^av, on thy, 183, of thy growth.
Wayt 111, 116, to know.
Wede, 83, 13o, raiment.
Wedurs, 63, 110, clouds.
Weete, G, the tide.
Welkin, lo, the sky.
Weliand, 103, boiling.
Welner, 122, well nigh.
Wema , 143, an exclamation de-
niandm^g attention.
\Aend, 10, oO, to go.
Weue , 3, 7, to think.
Went, 203, weened, thought.
AA'enyand , 123, an illusion to the
belief that actions undertalicn in
the wane of the moon would be
unsuccessful.
\A^erd , 31, the world.
Were , 56, 178, confusion, war.
Wx-re, 140, 173, doubt, uncertainty.
Were, 98, to defend.
Weyn , 113, 134, to ween, to
think.
Weyn, 96, doubt.
Weynde, 93, 100, to go.
Whili, 128, <fnick, living-.
W^itt, 53, to kno>v.
Witterly, 19, 24, verily, truly.
W^ode, 85, 86, mad.
Won, 94, 98, to dwell.
Wonden , 139 , wrapped in a
winding sheet.
Wonys, 127, dwelling places.
Wonys, 86, once.
AYoode, 121, 209, mad.
Wraggers, 179, wranglers.
W^rake, 102, 189, revenge.
Wranke , 32, a trick ? wrong ?
W^rast, 98, wrest.
\^^rears, 179. perverters.
271
•:il.
\Vr.4;.-. Hi7. I
Wrodi.-. «7. i
■\Vritjhl, 100, a iai|..nl.r.
Wrokoii. Ii>, ^ |>«N»
Wrokjn. l.'l, I«l, 5 "f "
to revoin;o.
AVt, ^^ilh.
\S'\t\, 102, joy. pleasure.
IVjiide, 2u, 04. to {JO.
"Wys, 35, to l;iio>v.
Wyse, 45, i>l. ^vay.
AVytt, 2o, 102. to kiio^v.
,.arl.
rake
107.
\eli, 251
Yede, lo;;,
or yainj.
Vister, 122,
Yl-a-Laylle .
ill luek on
:i|>l, ready.
I0», a jjate.
a.'li
, 121.
i|>, of ,;
sterday.
'. 102, ill luck to you,
on it.
Ylk, 138, same.
Yode,10o,l l'S,(Leiuip.of{fo organ};.
Yt, that.
EIIRATA.
37, 1. 11, from bottom, for fT'ttt. rcjJ With
C3, „ 23. for 00, read goo.
70, „ a, from bottom, for inearnate , read iHcamaU
78, „ 16, for do. read fordo.
112, „ 17, for tylle, read jtylle.
138. „ 17, for hy, read hy.
169. „ 21. for kuetv, read knew.
BINDING SPOT „
"--T^- Jl/L 5-1968
PR Marriott, William
1260 A collection of English
M37 miracle-Dlays or inysteriES
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